Butter Pecan Cake Loaf with Cream Cheese Icing – Easy Dessert Recipe

Butter pecan cake loaf topped with rich cream cheese icing, garnished with chopped pecans, served on a rustic wooden board.
Nutty, buttery, and irresistible – butter pecan cake loaf with cream cheese icing is the ultimate easy dessert! 🍰🌰✨
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A Southern-Inspired Sweet Treat

Butter pecan is one of those flavors that instantly evokes comfort and warmth. With its nutty richness and buttery sweetness, it feels like a hug in dessert form. A butter pecan cake loaf captures that charm beautifully, offering a sliceable treat that’s perfect for cozy family gatherings, holiday baking, or even a quiet afternoon tea.

There’s something nostalgic about the combination of pecans and butter—it’s a flavor deeply rooted in Southern kitchens, where pecans are celebrated in pies, cookies, and cakes. In loaf form, the cake becomes approachable and versatile, easy to bake, serve, and store.

The finishing touch is a creamy icing, often made with cream cheese, which adds tang and balances the sweetness. Together, the moist cake, crunchy pecans, and smooth icing create a dessert that feels indulgent yet familiar. It’s a treat that brings people together, whether shared at festive gatherings or enjoyed as a simple slice with coffee.

What Makes Butter Pecan Cake Loaf Special?

This cake loaf stands out because it combines nutty pecans, buttery richness, and tender texture in one irresistible package. The pecans provide crunch and depth, while butter infuses the cake with flavor and moisture. The result is a loaf that’s both hearty and delicate.

The loaf format makes it practical. Unlike layered cakes, it’s easy to slice, serve, and store. A loaf can be enjoyed as dessert, a snack, or even breakfast with coffee. It’s versatile enough for everyday enjoyment yet elegant enough for special occasions.

The crowning glory is the cream cheese icing. Its tangy flavor cuts through the sweetness, creating balance. Spread generously over the cooled loaf, it adds a luscious finish that elevates the cake from simple to spectacular.

Butter pecan cake loaf is special because it blends indulgence with practicality. It’s a dessert that feels homemade and heartfelt, perfect for sharing.

The Origins of Butter Pecan Flavor

The butter pecan flavor has deep Southern roots, where pecans are abundant and cherished in baking. From pies to pralines, pecans have long been a staple in American desserts.

Butter pecan gained widespread popularity through ice cream, where the combination of roasted pecans and buttery base became iconic. Its success led to adaptations in cakes, cookies, and other sweets.

In loaf cakes, butter pecan flavor feels modern yet traditional. It honors the Southern love of pecans while offering a convenient, sliceable format. Today, butter pecan loaf cakes are enjoyed across the country, celebrated for their nostalgic flavor and versatility.

Choosing the Right Pecans

Pecans are the star of this recipe, so choosing wisely matters.

  • Fresh pecans: Mild flavor, softer texture. Best for subtle nuttiness.
  • Toasted pecans: Richer, deeper flavor with added crunch. Toasting enhances natural oils and aroma.

For texture balance, chop pecans into medium pieces. Too fine, and they disappear into the batter; too large, and they overpower each bite.

Tip: Toast pecans lightly in a skillet or oven before folding into batter. This step intensifies flavor and ensures a satisfying crunch.

Building the Cake Base

The cake base is where richness and structure come together.

  • Butter: Essential for flavor and moisture. Use unsalted butter for control.
  • Sugar & flour: Balance sweetness and structure. Proper ratios ensure moist texture without heaviness.
  • Eggs: Provide lift and stability.
  • Leavening agents (baking powder/soda): Create lightness and prevent density.

Expert Tip: Use room temperature ingredients. Butter creams more smoothly, eggs incorporate evenly, and the batter blends without lumps. This ensures consistent texture throughout the loaf.

Step-by-Step Guide: Baking Butter Pecan Cake Loaf

  1. Prepare loaf pan: Grease and line with parchment for easy removal.
  2. Mix batter: Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in flour, baking powder, and milk alternately. Fold in chopped pecans.
  3. Bake: Pour batter into pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50–60 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
  4. Cool: Let loaf cool completely before icing.
  5. Icing: Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spread over cooled loaf.
  6. Serve: Slice and enjoy with coffee, tea, or as dessert.

Tip: Reserve a few toasted pecans to sprinkle over the icing for decoration and added crunch.

Butter pecan cake loaf topped with rich cream cheese icing, garnished with chopped pecans, served on a rustic wooden board.

Butter Pecan Cake Loaf with Cream Cheese Icing – Easy Dessert Recipe

This butter pecan cake loaf with cream cheese icing is a rich, nutty, and indulgent dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Moist cake is packed with buttery pecans and topped with creamy frosting, making it a crowd-pleasing treat for holidays, family gatherings, or cozy evenings at home.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Dessert, Holiday Baking, Tea Time Treat
Cuisine Classic Comfort Baking, Southern / American
Servings 1 loaf (8–10 slices).
Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

  • Loaf pan (9x5 inch)
  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or whisk
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Rubber spatula
  • Wire rack
  • Parchment paper

Ingredients
  

For the Loaf:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup milk (room temperature)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup toasted pecans, chopped

For Cream Cheese Icing:

  • 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Optional: pinch of cinnamon or maple extract

Instructions
 

  • Prepare pan: Grease loaf pan and line with parchment for easy removal.
  • Toast pecans: Lightly toast pecans in skillet or oven until fragrant. Cool and chop.
  • Mix batter: Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Mix flour, baking powder, soda, and salt separately. Alternate adding dry mix and milk into butter mixture. Stir in vanilla and fold in pecans.
  • Bake: Pour batter into loaf pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50–60 minutes, until golden and toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Cool: Let loaf cool completely on wire rack.
  • Make icing: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until creamy.
  • Finish: Spread icing over cooled loaf. Garnish with extra pecans if desired. Slice and serve.

Notes

  • Pecans: Always toast for maximum flavor.
  • Room temperature ingredients: Ensure even mixing and better texture.
  • Icing tip: Only frost once loaf is fully cooled to avoid melting.
  • Variations: Add caramel drizzle, chocolate chips, or spices for seasonal flair.
  • Storage: Refrigerate iced loaf up to 5 days; freeze un-iced loaf up to 2 months.
Keyword butter pecan loaf, cream cheese icing, Holiday Cake, nutty loaf recipe, Southern dessert