Chocolate Pecan Praline Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
A rich chocolate cake layered with praline pecans and topped with smooth cream cheese frosting for a decadent Cajun-inspired treat. This cajun-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 10, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. In a large bowl, sift together 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1 tsp salt.
- Step 2: In another bowl, beat 2 large eggs with 1 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, and 2 tsp vanilla extract. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry, mixing until smooth. Stir in 1 cup boiling water carefully until batter is well combined.
- Step 3: Divide the batter evenly between the two pans and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Step 4: To make the praline topping, melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 1 cup brown sugar and 2 tbsp heavy cream, cooking for 3-4 minutes until bubbling and thickened. Mix in 1 cup chopped pecans and remove from heat. Let cool.
- Step 5: For the frosting, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese with 2 cups powdered sugar and 2 tbsp milk until smooth and fluffy.
- Step 6: Assemble the cake by spreading half the praline pecan mixture over one cake layer, topping with half the cream cheese frosting, then placing the second cake layer on top. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides and garnish with remaining praline pecans.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chocolate Pecan Praline Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (25 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Chocolate Pecan Praline Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chocolate Pecan Praline Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chocolate Pecan Praline Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Chocolate Pecan Praline Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting?
Cajun desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
