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PECAN UPSIDE DOWN BUNDT CAKE RECIPE

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I know what you’re thinking… “How can I possibly make this Pecan Upside-Down Bundt Cake from scratch? It looks so fancy, and it’s like a cake and pecan pie all in one!”

PECAN UPSIDE DOWN BUNDT CAKE RECIPE

Well, two of those points are true. It does look fancy, and it is like a cake and pecan pie all in one, but you can make it. I’ll even let you in on a little secret, it’s made using a boxed cake mix so half the work is already done for you!

The moist, not-too-sweet cake base pairs perfectly with the crunchy, nutty, pecan pie filling-like topping to create a match made in heaven. Not to mention, the flip!

HOW DO YOU MAKE A PECAN UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE FROM SCRATCH?

Follow the recipe below and be sure to read through the Pro Tips and common questions to create the perfect Pecan Upside-Down Cake.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bundt pan liberally with non-stick cooking spray, and set aside for later.

Pecan Topping;

  1. In a medium bowl, using a hand-held mixer or whisk, combine melted butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Continue mixing until the brown sugar has almost dissolved completely
  2. Add pecans to brown sugar mixture and mix until fully combined. Pour mixture into prepared bundt pan and use a spatula to spread into one even layer. Set aside.

PECAN UPSIDE DOWN BUNDT CAKE RECIPE

Cake Batter

  1. In a large bowl, using a hand-held mixer or whisk, combine cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, water, and sour cream. Mix together until no lumps remain
  2. Pour cake batter over top of the pecan topping. Use a spatula to make sure the batter is spread out evenly and completely covers the pecan topping.
    PECAN UPSIDE DOWN BUNDT CAKE RECIPE
  3. Bake in preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester stick inserted comes out clean.
  4. After the cake is finished baking, remove the bundt pan from the oven and place it on a cooling rack to cool for 10 minutes. Do not attempt to flip the pan before this!
  5. Once 10 minutes have passed, place a large plate over the top of the bundt pan to invert the cake onto the plate. I like to bang the top of the pan a few times before I lift it up to make sure those loose pecans unstick from the pan.
  6. Slice and serve warm with your favorite ice cream, or allow the cake to cool and serve at room temperature.

PECAN UPSIDE DOWN BUNDT CAKE RECIPE

Recipe tips;

  1. For best results, try to use room temperature eggs, sour cream, and water. Room temperature ingredients combine better with others to create the perfect cake batter
  2. If you don’t have sour cream on hand, plain yogurt or Greek yogurt will work fine in this recipe
  3. Don’t stress if you don’t get the perfect flip. The good thing about pecan desserts is that they have a rustic look. Simply pick up any pecans that fall off and piece them back together to create your own masterpiece

PECAN UPSIDE DOWN BUNDT CAKE RECIPE

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU WAIT BEFORE FLIPPING A PECAN UPSIDE-DOWN BUNDT CAKE?

Allowing your bundt cake to cool for 10 minutes prior to flipping is crucial to ensure a beautifully stable and clean cake. Those 10 minutes will feel like 100 but trust me, it’s worth the wait.

Try setting a 10-minute timer and go do something so that you’re not just sitting staring at the cake!

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER PECAN UPSIDE-DOWN BUNDT CAKE?

Although I doubt there will be many leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Want to freeze this cake? Allow the cake to cool completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. Remove from the freezer and allow to come to room temperature prior to serving.

PECAN UPSIDE DOWN BUNDT CAKE RECIPE

OTHER RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY

  • CARAMEL APPLE PECAN COBBLER
  • PECAN PIE MUFFINS
  • GRANNY CAKE WITH COCONUT

PECAN UPSIDE DOWN BUNDT CAKE RECIPE

Your guests will be blown away at how you created this impressive wonder, and you don’t even have to share the little secret mentioned above.
4.99 from 61 votes
Print Save Rate
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients

For the Pecan Topping:

  • ½ cup packed light or dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup of corn syrup
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • ¼ tsp salt

For the Cake Batter:

  • 1 box vanilla cake mix (I used Betty Crocker Super Moist Vanilla)
  • ½ cup of vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 tbsp sour cream
  • 1 cup of water

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Spray 10 inch bundt pan liberally with non-stick cooking spray, and set aside for later

Pecan Topping

  • In a medium bowl, using a hand-held mixer or whisk, combine melted butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Continue mixing until the brown sugar has almost dissolved completely
  • Add pecans to brown sugar mixture and mix until fully combined
  • Pour mixture into prepared bundt pan and use a spatula to spread into one even layer. Set aside

Cake Batter

  • In a large bowl, using a hand-held mixer or whisk, combine cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, water, and sour cream. Mix together until no lumps remain
  • Pour cake batter over top of the pecan topping. Use a spatula to make sure the batter is spread out evenly and completely covers the pecan topping
  • Bake in preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester stick inserted comes out clean
  • After the cake is finished baking, remove bundt pan from oven and place on a cooling rack to cool for 10 minutes. Do not attempt to flip the pan before this!
  • Once 10 minutes have passed, place a large plate over the top of the bundt pan to invert the cake onto the plate. I like to bang the top of the pan a few times before I lift it up to make sure those loose pecans unstick from the pan
  • Slice and serve warm with your favorite ice cream, or allow the cake to cool and serve at room temperature
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angie

    December 11, 2022 at 11:59 pm

    5 stars
    It was sooo good, will do it for Christmas and the other holidays!

    Reply
  2. Liz Williams

    November 27, 2022 at 11:09 pm

    Thankfully I used foil under my Bundt pan. I found a lot of oil leaking into the foil. That would have been a mess. I haven’t tasted it yet but it appears it will be greasy 😞

    Reply
  3. Kayla

    November 21, 2022 at 12:51 pm

    5 stars
    I made this cake yesterday and it was so good!!! Next time I will use a larger bundt pan or put a cookie sheet under the rack!! I didnt have a box of cake mix so I found one here on Pinterest and used it’s dry ingredients. This cake was amazing!!! Make it y’all!!!

    Reply
  4. Tatianna

    October 23, 2022 at 9:37 pm

    I just put mine in the oven. I didn’t have honey or corn syrup so I used maple syrup. See how it works our. I can’t wait. If we like it I might make it at Christmas this year.

    Reply
  5. Jackie

    September 23, 2022 at 9:34 pm

    I made this yesterday and it is delicious! I would not use anything but the vanilla cake mix (Betty Crocker moist). I did substitute applesauce for the oil and added a little vanilla; so tasty and moist! It is definitely a keeper!

    Reply
  6. Mary

    August 17, 2022 at 2:19 pm

    5 stars
    Easy to make and oh so delicious. I use the baking Pam and had no trouble removing it from the pan.

    Reply
  7. Chiquita

    July 10, 2022 at 5:08 pm

    5 stars
    Great cake I couldn’t find my big bundt pan so I used the insta bundt pans the ingredients is enough for 2. Yeah I am sharing the 2nd one.

    Reply
  8. Dedra

    April 16, 2022 at 7:54 pm

    5 stars
    I made this cake to take to my mom’s for Easter. I has some of the nuts and cake stick the pan. It didn’t ruin the cake just enough of bits for me to eat. I baked it for 45 mins. I think I will bake it for abut 35 mins next time.It came out great and from the pieces I’ve nibble it will be delicious!!! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  9. Donna

    March 26, 2022 at 8:06 pm

    5 stars
    So easy to make. It was still warm when we had it with coffee
    Will make this one again.

    Reply
  10. Mary

    January 29, 2022 at 11:15 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious

    Reply
  11. Chas

    January 15, 2022 at 5:30 am

    Thank you so much for this recipe. My family absolutely loved it.

    Reply
  12. Stacey

    January 7, 2022 at 5:35 am

    5 stars
    I use butter pecan cake mix, use butter , milk and extra egg instead of oil and water. And OMG EVERYONE LOVES THIS CAKE! Children, adults even TEENS! Thank you! We’ve made it four times this Christmas season and just made it again for a snow day lol!

    Reply
    • Lori

      January 11, 2022 at 12:28 am

      Do you melt the butter and then mix all together or is it softened and mixed in?

      Reply
    • Stephanie Stoneking

      July 8, 2022 at 8:33 pm

      Stacey how much butter to replace the oil?

      Reply
  13. Maria

    December 31, 2021 at 5:50 pm

    5 stars
    I made this one as s Christmas gift. It was so easy and oh so delicious! It got raving reviews. Thanks for sharing!! Will definitely be making it again…..

    Reply
    • 100krecipes

      December 31, 2021 at 10:35 pm

      How wonderful, Maria! So glad you decided to give it a try!

      Reply
    • deborah kyle

      January 2, 2022 at 8:01 pm

      maria, what type of pan did you use? i had so much trouble getting this out of my bundt pan, which i sprayed heavily…..

      Reply
  14. Stella Weeks

    December 21, 2021 at 6:11 pm

    5 stars
    This is an amazing cake!

    Reply
  15. Loretta Lee

    November 27, 2021 at 5:19 pm

    5 stars
    This was the most famous cake. Will always be my go too.

    Reply
  16. Sally

    November 18, 2021 at 1:04 am

    5 stars
    OKay, let me tell you up front I have not tried this recipe yet, but I am about to. Sounds easy and yummy. I have read all the reviews thus far and I’m very interested in adding the cinnamon pecan filling or the pecan streusel swirl. My only problem is I have no idea how to do either filling or how much I would need. Can you provide me with any hints on this?

    Reply
    • Mom of three

      May 29, 2022 at 9:18 pm

      5 stars
      Sally (or anyone else reading this later) I used a cinnamon swirl filling (you can add pecans to it if you wanted). It’s 1/2 stick melted butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 2 Tablespoons flour, 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Mix until combined. I like the coffee cake-ish consistency with it.

      Reply
  17. Sharon C

    October 10, 2021 at 7:41 pm

    5 stars
    Making this cake a second time in just a couple weeks. My husband says this is the BEST cake I have ever made, and I have made him a LOT of cakes in 27 years. I told him him today I was going to make a pineapple upside-down cake, he asked for this cake instead.
    No problems here with any nuts staying in the pan, came out beautiful!
    Just trying one thing different today. I’ve added a pecan streusel swirl to the middle (can never have to many nuts, lol), will see how that comes out and let you know..
    Also just an easy tip, I just combine the butter, brown sugar, salt, corn syrup and nuts in a small pan, turn on low till it melts and combines then pour in pan.
    For me easier than using the mixer

    Reply
    • 100krecipes

      October 10, 2021 at 7:57 pm

      Oh my goodness you are so kind. Thank you for coming back to leave a review! So glad you decided to try it again and customize it to your liking.

      Reply
  18. Jean

    August 6, 2021 at 2:59 am

    5 stars
    I made this today for my family and they loved it. I made my yellow cake from scratch and it was so moist. It took a little longer to bake but it was so worth it. I waited 10 minutes and the cake slid right out of the pan. I used melted butter and a brush to grease my pan I will definitely make again.

    Reply
    • 100krecipes

      August 6, 2021 at 10:00 am

      Thanks for the suggestions Jeon. So glad you decided to try it again and customize it to your liking. 🙂

      Reply
  19. Kathy

    July 25, 2021 at 2:28 am

    Used yellow cake mix. Followed instructions carefully including letting cake cool 10 minutes before flipping over. Bottom of ban still had a generous coating of pecans that I had to spoon back on cake. Still looked great and was delicious…just disappointing so many pecans stayed in pan even after a good thumping on pan before flipping. Maybe more cooking spray was needed. Will still make again.

    Reply
    • 100krecipes

      July 30, 2021 at 10:56 am

      Hi Kathy, more cooking spray is likely needed. This will prevent too many pecans from sticking, but it is normal for a few to stay in the pan

      Reply
  20. deb mac

    July 12, 2021 at 8:16 pm

    C
    an I use honey instead of corn syrup??

    Reply
    • 100krecipes

      July 13, 2021 at 10:00 pm

      Yes, you can use honey instead!

      Reply
  21. Sheryl C.

    June 17, 2021 at 10:22 pm

    4 stars
    Delicious and easy to make !

    Reply
  22. Gina

    May 17, 2021 at 1:22 am

    The cake was tasty, but fairly flat and falls apart easily. I’m wondering if the recipe originally used the larger sized cake mixes before they were downsized.

    Reply
    • 100krecipes

      May 17, 2021 at 1:08 pm

      Hi Gina,

      The recipe used a regular-sized cake mix (432 grams). Make sure to allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes before lifting the pan.

      The cake will be flat on one side, but after it is inverted it is round due to the Bundt pan shape

      Reply
  23. Loni

    May 6, 2021 at 7:26 pm

    I don’t have a Bundt pan will a regular cake pan work?

    Reply
    • 100krecipes

      May 6, 2021 at 8:28 pm

      You can split into 2 9 inch cake pans and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean

      Reply
  24. Cheryl Eldridge

    April 16, 2021 at 4:55 am

    5 stars
    Thanks so much for sharing this delicious cake recipe. I made this a few hours ago. It is scrumptious! I am sure a yellow cake mix would work well also.

    Reply
    • 100krecipes

      April 16, 2021 at 11:38 am

      Thanks for dropping by to let me know! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  25. Cheryl Eldridge

    April 16, 2021 at 4:50 am

    So delicious!! I made this cake a few hours ago. I am sure yellow cake would work well also. Thanks for sharing

    Reply
  26. Lydia Mette

    April 3, 2021 at 5:59 pm

    5 stars
    I loved this recipe. I added a cinnamon pecan filling and it was devoured!! Thanks!

    Reply
    • 100krecipes

      April 3, 2021 at 7:55 pm

      So glad you loved it! Thanks so much for the 5 star rating!

      Reply
    • Sheila

      October 3, 2021 at 7:57 pm

      How did you make the cinnamon pecan filling?

      Reply
      • 100krecipes

        October 5, 2021 at 10:07 am

        the instructions to make the pecan topping are at the start of the recipe

        Reply
  27. Rosalie

    March 16, 2021 at 7:57 pm

    5 stars
    I made this cake this afternoon.
    Absolutely delicious!
    Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • 100krecipes

      March 16, 2021 at 8:57 pm

      So glad you loved it! Thanks so much for the 5 star rating!

      Reply
  28. Christi

    January 18, 2021 at 1:11 am

    What size of a bundt pan ?

    Reply
    • 100krecipes

      January 18, 2021 at 9:22 pm

      10 inches,

      Reply
  29. tk

    December 22, 2020 at 2:28 am

    Have you ever tried this with something other that corn syrup? I have honey…

    Reply
    • 100krecipes

      December 22, 2020 at 3:08 pm

      Yes, honey or maple syrup will work,

      Reply

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