Irresistible Pecan Caramel Chocolate Cake Recipe Magic

Sweet temptations come alive with this decadent pecan caramel chocolate cake that promises pure bliss in every bite.

Rich chocolate layers mingle with golden caramel, creating a dessert that beckons from across the room.

Crunchy pecans add a delightful texture that complements the smooth, velvety cake.

Each slice tells a story of indulgence and comfort, inviting you to savor every moment.

The combination of deep chocolate, buttery caramel, and toasted pecans makes this cake a showstopper at any gathering.

Prepare to surrender to a dessert that transforms an ordinary evening into an extraordinary culinary experience.

This recipe will become your new go-to when you want to impress and delight.

Steps For Pecan Caramel Chocolate Cake

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F. Grab two cake pans and give them a quick spray with cooking oil, then line with parchment paper.

• Mix Dry Ingredients

Dump flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt into a big mixing bowl. Whisk everything together until perfectly blended.

• Create Cake Batter

Crack in the eggs, pour milk, oil, and vanilla. Stir until the mixture looks silky smooth. Slowly add boiling water, mixing gently until the batter looks light and runny.

• Bake the Cake Layers

Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Slide into the heated oven and bake for about 35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

• Craft Caramel Pecan Sauce

Melt sugar in a pan until it turns golden. Toss in butter and cream, stirring like crazy. Fold in salt and toasted pecans. Let the sauce cool and thicken.

• Whip Up Chocolate Ganache

Heat cream until steaming. Pour over chopped chocolate and let sit. Stir until glossy, then mix in butter. Allow to cool slightly.

• Stack and Decorate

Place first cake layer on plate. Spread caramel pecan sauce generously. Top with second layer. Pour chocolate ganache over the entire cake, letting it beautifully drip down the sides.

• Serve and Savor

Let the cake set for half an hour. Slice and enjoy this decadent masterpiece!

Tips To Make Pecan Caramel Chocolate Cake Better

• Room Temperature Magic: Ensure all ingredients like eggs, milk, and butter are at room temperature for smoother, more even cake batter and better mixing.
• Toasting Pecan Pro: Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet before adding to caramel for deeper, nuttier flavor and enhanced crunchiness. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
• Ganache Consistency Hack: If ganache becomes too thick, gently warm over low heat or add a splash of cream to restore perfect pouring texture. For firmer frosting, let it cool longer at room temperature.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend and add 1 teaspoon xanthan gum to maintain cake's structure and texture. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.

How To Serve Pecan Caramel Chocolate Cake

• Sweet Celebration Centerpiece: Create a stunning dessert table with this decadent cake as the star, surrounded by smaller pecan cookies, caramel truffles, and chocolate-dipped pecans for a luxurious visual spread.
• Elegant Coffee Pairing: Serve thick slices alongside a rich espresso or creamy cappuccino to complement the deep chocolate and nutty caramel flavors, enhancing the overall dessert experience.
• Seasonal Entertaining Approach: Perfect for holiday gatherings or special occasions like birthdays, this cake becomes a showstopping dessert that will impress guests with its beautiful layers and indulgent taste profile.
• Gourmet Gift Option: Carefully wrap individual slices in decorative packaging for a homemade gift, adding a personal touch with a ribbon and a handwritten note for friends and family who appreciate sophisticated desserts.

Save Pecan Caramel Chocolate Cake Easily

• Quick Cooling Strategy: Place cake layers on wire rack with space between them for faster temperature drop and even air circulation.
• Refrigeration Method: Store fully assembled cake in airtight container for up to 5 days, covering loosely with plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and flavor absorption.
• Room Temperature Tips: Keep cake at moderate temperature (60-70°F) for optimal texture, preventing caramel from hardening or ganache from becoming too firm.
• Slice Separation Trick: Insert parchment paper between cake slices when storing to prevent sticking and maintain individual slice quality during refrigeration.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 425 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Mix For Pecan Caramel Chocolate Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb for the chocolate cake, choose unbleached flour for best texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor, opt for Dutch-processed cocoa for deeper color and smoother taste.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create soft cake texture, fresher sugar ensures better cake rise.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become fluffy, check expiration date for maximum effectiveness.
• Baking Soda: Helps neutralize acidic ingredients and promotes browning, store in airtight container.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add richness, use room temperature eggs for smoother mixing.
• Milk: Adds moisture and tenderness, whole milk provides best flavor and texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Creates moist cake and prevents dryness, use neutral-flavored oil.
• Vanilla Extract: Boosts chocolate flavor and adds depth, choose pure vanilla for best taste.
• Boiling Water: Helps dissolve cocoa and creates lighter cake texture, can substitute with hot coffee.

• Granulated Sugar: Creates golden caramel base, use dry pan and watch carefully to prevent burning.
• Butter: Adds richness and smoothness to caramel, use unsalted for better control of saltiness.
• Heavy Cream: Creates silky caramel texture, ensure cream is at room temperature.
• Pecans: Provides crunch and nutty flavor, toast beforehand for enhanced taste.

Tools For Pecan Caramel Chocolate Cake

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for blending cake batter smoothly and efficiently.
• 9-inch Cake Pans (2): Perfect for creating even cake layers.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents cake from sticking and ensures easy removal.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Needed for combining dry and wet ingredients.
• Saucepan: Critical for making caramel and ganache.
• Whisk: Great for mixing dry ingredients and creating smooth batters.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cakes to cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Spatula: Helps spread fillings and ganache smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Toothpick or Cake Tester: Helps check cake doneness.

Indulgent Pecan Caramel Chocolate Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Rich pecan caramel chocolate cake blends Southern comfort with elegant dessert traditions. Layers of deep chocolate and buttery caramel create a luxurious experience you’ll savor down to the last delectable crumb.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 ¾ cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (75 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) boiling water or hot coffee
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
• ½ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter (cubed)
• 1 tablespoon (14 grams) unsalted butter
• 8 ounces (226 grams) semi-sweet or dark chocolate (chopped)
• 1 cup (100 grams) pecans (chopped and toasted)
• 1 ½ teaspoons (7 grams) baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons (7 grams) baking soda
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon (6 grams) salt
• ½ teaspoon (3 grams) salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper, lightly greasing the surfaces.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl until completely integrated.
3. Liquid Component Incorporation: Blend eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract into dry ingredients, whisking until achieving a silky, lump-free batter.
4. Batter Finalization: Carefully fold in boiling water, creating a thin, smooth liquid mixture that ensures a rich, moist cake texture.
5. Baking Process: Divide batter equally between prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that emerges clean.
6. Cooling Phase: Rest cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
7. Caramel Filling Creation: Melt sugar in a saucepan until golden brown, then introduce butter and heavy cream, stirring continuously to develop a luxurious caramel sauce.
8. Pecan Enhancement: Fold salt and toasted pecans into caramel, allowing the mixture to cool and thicken.
9. Chocolate Ganache Development: Heat heavy cream until steaming, pour over chopped chocolate, and let rest briefly before whisking to a glossy, smooth consistency.
10. Ganache Refinement: Incorporate butter into the chocolate mixture and allow to cool until reaching a pourable state.
11. Cake Assembly: Place first cake layer on serving plate, spread caramel pecan filling evenly, then carefully position second layer on top.
12. Final Decoration: Generously drape chocolate ganache over entire cake, creating elegant drips along the sides and garnishing with additional toasted pecans and caramel drizzle.
13. Serving Preparation: Allow cake to set for 30 minutes to ensure structural stability before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Precision Temperature Control: Maintain exact 350F (175C) for even baking and preventing dry or undercooked cake layers.
• Smooth Batter Technique: Whisk liquid ingredients thoroughly to eliminate lumps and create a silky, consistent cake texture.
• Caramel Watching Method: Monitor sugar carefully during caramel preparation to prevent burning, stirring gently and consistently.
• Ganache Cooling Strategy: Let ganache rest and cool to achieve perfect pouring consistency without becoming too thick or runny.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 425
• Sugar: 41 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg