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    Home » Desserts » Cakes » Pecan pumpkin Cake

    Pecan pumpkin Cake

    Published: Nov 9, 2020 · Modified: Nov 9, 2020 by Amira · This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

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    Moist pumpkin sheet cake with a crunchy buttery pecan topping for your dessert table. This pumpkin cake is unlike any other with a deep bold and nutty flavor thanks to the browned butter.

    Have more pumpkins in your kitchen? try this amazing chocolate pumpkin cake or maybe take a look at this pumpkin bundt with cream cheese. Both are fabulous addition to your recipe book and so easy to make.

    A piece of pecan pumpkin cake on a white dessert plate with a fork next to it.

    Table of contents

    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Recipe Ingredients
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Recipe Instructions
    • Recipe Expert Tips
    • More Pumpkin Recipes

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    A pumpkin sheet cake that tastes actually like pumpkins and not overly sweet. To make this happen we will need to hold back on spices a bit so cinnamon is enough so not to get that burning sensation from overly cpiced pumpkin and let the pumpkin flavor shine through.

    To boost the pumpkin cake with nutty, butterscotch flavor I've used browned butter. To balance the sweetness of the cake I've also made a browned butter toffee flavored pecan-butter glaze for an ultimate buttery experience.

    Recipe Ingredients

    Ingredients for pumpkin pecan cake on a tabletop.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Try using unsweetened pumpkin puree but if you cannot find it you might want to decrees the sugar a bit. You can also use butternut squash.
    • Cinnamon is used to spice up this cake which I find to be the most suitable.
    • Brown sugar is used for flavor and a bit of chewiness.

    Recipe Instructions

    • Brown the butter by heating gently over low heat in a light colored pan until it melts completely.
    • Keep stirring or swirling the pan so the butter will heat evenly. You will notice that the milk solids will sink to the bottom of the pan ans starts browning. When the butter turns amber brown color and it will smell heavenly buttery.
    • Pour immediately in a heat proof bowl then place in an ice bath to cool and harden a bit.
    • In a deep bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda and cinnamon.
    • In another bowl, combine buttermilk and pumpkin puree.
    • By this time, you'll notice that the butter has solidified a bit.
    • Cream the butter in your mixer bowl, then add sugars then cream once more.
    • Add the eggs one at a time and beat.
    • gradually add the dry mixture and mix.
    • Mix in the pumpkin mixture.
    • Pour into a 13x9 oven pan lined with parchment paper, level the surface. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Leave the cake in the pan for 10 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack.
    • Make the toasted pecans by melting the butter, then toast the pecan, add the brown sugar and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
    • Make the nutty buttery awesome browned butter glaze by browning the butter as before. Remove pan from heat add sugar and heavy cream, stirring quickly with a whisk. Return mixture to low flame until bubbles and thickens. Set aside to cool down for almost 15-20 minutes.
    • When the cake and the butter sauce have cooled down, pour the sauce over then sprinkle the toasted pecans on top.

    Recipe Expert Tips

    • Cut the butter into squares to ensure even heating.
    • Use a light-colored pan to brown the butter especially if you are a newbie.
    • You can use pumpkin spice or any spices you like, just do not be tempted to use too much so you will not overwhelm the pumpkin flavor.
    • This cake can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days and can be frozen for up to a month.
    Pumpkin sheet cake on a wire rack dripping butter-pecan sauce.

    Sweet and moist but it also packs a toasty, nutty punch. It is amazing how simply changing one ingredient elevates the flavor that much. You need this cake in your life, trust me. Do not be intimidated by the many steps of this cake, the resulting cake worth your time. 

    More Pumpkin Recipes

    • Pumpkin Pie with a Phyllo Crust
    • Chocolate Pumpkin Cake
    • Pumpkin Frangipane (Almond Cream) Tart Recipe
    • Pumpkin béchamel pie- revisited
    A piece of pecan pumpkin cake on a white dessert plate with a fork next to it.

    Pumpkin Cake With Browned Butter Glaze.

    Moist, lightly spiced, nutty and so buttery pumpkin cake.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
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    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Halal
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 536kcal
    Author: Amira

    Ingredients

    For the cake:

    • 3/4 cup + 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 2 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 2 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 cup white sugar
    • 2/3 cup brown sugar
    • 4 eggs
    • 15 oz can pure pumpkin puree
    • 1/2 cup buttermilk

    For salted toasted pecan:

    • 1/2 cup pecans coarsely chopped
    • 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon butter

    For the browned butter glaze:

    • 6 Tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 1 cup packed brown sugar
    • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

    Instructions

    • In a light colored saucepan over low heat , add butter .Butter will melt, then foam , then the foam will start to go away. keep stirring frequently.
    • Brown flecks will start to form at the bottom. Once they're golden brown , and the butter smells nutty, remove pan from the heat.
    • Pour immediately into a heatproof bowl or a measuring cup.
    • Set the bowl in an ice water bath until the butter begins to set around the edge, about 15 minutes.

    Make the cake:

    • Preheat oven to 350F.
    • In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda and cinnamon. Set aside.
    • Remove the bowl from the ice water and scrape up the hardened butter. Transfer the butter to the bowl of a standing mixer beat until creamy.
    • Add sugars and cream, add eggs one at a time mixing in between.
    • Gradually add flour mixture and mix well.
    • In another medium bowl, combine together the pumpkin puree and buttermilk.
    • Stir in the pumpkin mixture until well combined.
    • Pour the batter in a 13x9 baking pan lined with parchment paper.
    • Bake for 30-35 minutes. When done take it out leave it in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer the cake to a cooling rack to cool completely.

    Meanwhile make the glaze:

    • In a small light colored saucepan, melt butter over low heat as before and wait for it to turn golden brown.
    • Remove pan from heat add sugar and heavy cream, stirring with a whisk.
    • Return the pan to the stove top and stir for another 3-4minute or so until the sugar is dissolved completely and the mixture thickens a bit.
    • Let the sauce cool down for about 20 minutes.

    Make the toasted pecan:

    • In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter then add pecans, stir until starting to toast.
    • Add sugar and stir until sugar starts to caramelizes coating all pecans.
    • When the cake and the glaze have cooled down, pour glaze over cake and sprinkle with toasted caramelized pecans.

    Notes

    • Cut the butter into squares to ensure even heating.
    • Use a light-colored pan to brown the butter especially if you are a newbie.
    • You can use pumpkin spice or any spices you like, just do not be tempted to use too much so you will not overwhelm the pumpkin flavor.
    • This cake can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days and can be frozen for up to a month.
     
    Inspired from Sweet Potato Cake

    Nutrition

    Calories: 536kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 423mg | Potassium: 201mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 6315IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @AmirasPantry or tag #AmirasPantry!

    Sign up and learn more about Mediterranean flavors

    First published Oct 4, 2017. Last updated November 6, 2020 with new recipe, step by step instructions and readability.

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    About Amira

    I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! My hope is to introduce you to new flavors, creative ways and fresh takes on favorites. To help you create food with style that will bring everyone around your kitchen table. From weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gina

      October 14, 2017 at 11:47 am

      This cake looks great. Though I am not a huge pumpkin person other than a piece of pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving, I am intrigued to try this. And even more than that, I am so excited to know how morta is made! I remember my aunt would make it when we'd visit Egypt in the summer and the house would smell amazing! And the taste is something else. I knew it had to do with boiling butter, but I guess I never paid attention to exactly which part of it was the morta. I think I thought it was the foamy part that floats to the top. I've never made ghee at home, but I must do it now. 🙂 So I guess ghee is just what is called in Egypt "samna baladi" ? Now I will know to try this and to scrape the delicious morta from the bottom of the pan. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Amira

        October 18, 2017 at 1:04 pm

        Aaaah Gina, morta is the love of my life :))). Samna safra actually is this type of ghee. Samn baladi is the one that is made with white butter that comes from buffalo but the yellow butter- like the one we have here in the US- is from cow. I do not like samn balady a lot, I've always prefered the one made with the yellow butter even when we were living in Egypt. Thanks for the comment and I hope to see you here more often.

        Reply
    2. Karen

      October 06, 2017 at 8:37 am

      Your cake with the brown butter glaze must be absolutely moist and delicious.

      Reply
      • Amira

        October 08, 2017 at 1:06 pm

        It is super delicious, Karen. I hope you'll try it soon.

        Reply

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    I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! This blog combines weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends. Read More…

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