Ingredients
- 2 tbsp (28 g) salted butter
- 1 1/4 cups (140 g) roughly chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup (112 g) unsalted butter
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
- 2 1/2 cups (325 g) powdered sugar
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp (141 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup (150 g) granulated white sugar
- Brown butter (from above)
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp bourbon (optional)
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) buttermilk, at room temperature
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
- 5 tbsp (70 g) salted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream, at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4–1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Toast the pecans in a skillet with 2 tbsp salted butter until golden and fragrant. Set aside.
- Prepare the brown butter by melting 1/2 cup unsalted butter over medium heat, stirring until golden brown and nutty. Let cool slightly.
- Make the cream cheese layer: beat cream cheese until smooth, then mix in 1 egg, 1 egg yolk, and powdered sugar until creamy.
- Make the cake batter: whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. In another bowl, beat sugar with the brown butter, then add egg, egg yolk, vanilla, bourbon (if using), and buttermilk. Gently fold in the dry ingredients.
- Spread cake batter into a greased 9×13-inch pan. Layer the cream cheese mixture on top and sprinkle with buttered pecans.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 45 minutes, until edges are set but the center is slightly gooey.
- While cake cools, make caramel: melt sugar until golden, stir in butter, then slowly add cream, vanilla, and salt. Drizzle over cooled cake before serving.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, replace pecans with chocolate chips or toffee bits.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze without caramel topping for up to 2 months.
- Swap bourbon with maple syrup for a fall flavor twist.
- Serve slightly warm with ice cream for an extra treat.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 44 g
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
