Ingredients
1½ cups dark brown sugar, packed (divided into 2 cups and ¾ cup)
1 cup dark corn syrup
1¼ cups salted butter, melted and cooled (divided into ½ cup and ¾ cup)
3 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
4 cups pecan halves (divided into 3 cups and 1 cup)
15.25 ounces white cake mix
1 cup hot water
Caramel topping, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Generously spray a 9×13 (or 13×9) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl (2-3 quarts), combine 1 cup dark brown sugar, dark corn syrup, ½ cup melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
- Stir in 3 cups of pecan halves. Evenly spread this pecan mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the pecan mixture, ensuring it is distributed evenly.
- Drizzle the remaining ¾ cup melted butter over the dry cake mix.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup dark brown sugar over the butter layer.
- Pour 1 cup of hot water over the cake mix and butter. Do not stir. If necessary, tilt the baking pan gently to ensure the water is evenly distributed over the dry cake mix.
- Finally, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of pecan halves over the cake and water layer.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Keep an eye on it from the 30-minute mark. The center may still be a little jiggly but will firm up as it cools. Allow the cake to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- For an extra indulgent touch, drizzle some caramel topping over the cake before serving.
- If you’re not a fan of pecans, swap them for walnuts or almonds.
- Add chocolate chips for a chocolatey twist.
- Sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg for extra warmth and spice.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the microwave for individual servings or in the oven for the entire cake.
- You can freeze the cake for up to 3 months, thaw before reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
