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Velvet Cake Pecan Frosting

Category: Sweet Treats and Baked Delights

Velvet Cake topped with Brown Butter Pecan Frosting is an exciting twist on the classic dessert. This moist cake with a light cocoa kick pairs smoothly with a rich frosting made of browned butter, cream cheese, and toasted pecans. It’s perfect for celebrations or whenever you’re craving something sweet and fancy.

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Mena
Updated on Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:12:39 GMT
Velvet Cake with Brown Butter Pecan Frosting Save
Velvet Cake with Brown Butter Pecan Frosting | delishdocket.com

This Brown Butter Pecan Frosted Red Velvet treat blends soft, velvety cake with a crunchy, nutty topping. The cake stays super moist from oil and buttermilk, while the frosting combines tangy cream cheese, toasty browned butter, and crunchy pecans. You'll love the sweet caramel notes and textural contrast—it's perfect for any get-together or when you want something extra special.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED
  • All-purpose flour: 2 ½ cups, forms the cake foundation
  • Granulated sugar: 1 ½ cups, adds sweetness
  • Baking soda: 1 tsp, helps it rise
  • Cocoa powder: 1 tsp, gives that subtle chocolate taste
  • Salt: 1 tsp, enhances all flavors
  • Vegetable oil: 1 ½ cups, keeps everything moist
  • Buttermilk: 1 cup, room temperature, makes it tender
  • Large eggs: 2, room temperature, holds it together
  • Red food coloring: 2 tbsp, creates that wow-factor color
  • Vanilla extract: 1 tsp, adds depth
  • White vinegar: 1 tsp, works with baking soda
  • Unsalted butter: 1 cup, browned, for nutty frosting
  • Powdered sugar: 2 cups, sweetens the frosting
  • Cream cheese: 1 cup, softened, makes frosting smooth
  • Vanilla extract: 1 tsp, flavors the frosting
  • Toasted pecans: ¾ cup, chopped, adds wonderful crunch
HOW TO MAKE IT
Step 1:
Turn oven to 350°F. Coat two 9-inch round pans with grease.
Step 2:
Mix oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar in one bowl. In another, sift flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa, and salt together.
Step 3:
Slowly mix wet stuff into dry stuff until smooth. Pour into pans and bake 25-30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Let cakes cool fully.
Step 4:
Make frosting by cooking butter until brown, then cooling it. Whip cream cheese till fluffy, mix in cooled brown butter and vanilla. Add powdered sugar bit by bit, then stir in pecans.
Step 5:
Spread frosting between cake layers, then cover top and sides. Add extra pecans on top if you want.
Eating and Keeping
  • Tastes best when eaten at room temp.
  • Keeps in the fridge for 5 days if sealed tight.
Good To Know
  • Warm ingredients mix better and make smoother results.
  • The browned butter gives the frosting an amazing toasty flavor.

Chef Secrets

  • Try adding a tiny bit of cinnamon to the frosting for extra warmth.
What Makes This So Good

The moist red velvet layers with that hint of cocoa taste amazing with the sweet, nutty frosting. The brown butter gives everything a toasty flavor that'll have everyone asking for seconds. It's fancy enough for birthdays but too good to save just for special days.

Prep Ahead Tips

You can make the cake parts and frosting a day early. The whole cake stays fresh in the fridge for 5 days if you cover it well.

Questions People Ask

Can I skip the red coloring?

Sure you can. Your cake won't be red, but it'll still taste great.

How do I keep my cake moist?

Don't measure ingredients wrong and take it out of the oven on time.

Will other nuts work too?

Yep, try walnuts or almonds, though pecans really do taste best here.

My frosting's too runny. What now?

Just add more powdered sugar until it gets thick enough.

Red Velvet Cake with Brown Butter Pecan Frosting Save
Red Velvet Cake with Brown Butter Pecan Frosting | delishdocket.com

Summary

This Velvet Cake with Brown Butter Pecan Frosting features a fluffy, colorful cake and a creamy, nutty topping. It’s a favorite for its balance of slight chocolate notes and the buttery pecan crunch. Cream cheese lends smoothness to the frosting, making every bite irresistible. Best for birthdays, holidays, or when you’re looking to bake something special. It’s simple to make, but the frosting feels like a game changer!

Velvet Cake Frosting

Soft, vibrant Velvet Cake features a bold brown butter pecan frosting. It’s the ideal dessert to share or enjoy solo.

Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
60 min
By: Mena

Category: Desserts & Baking

Skill Level: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (1 double-layered cake)

Dietary Preferences: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, builds the cake's structure.
02 1 ½ cups of white sugar, adds sweetness.
03 1 teaspoon of baking soda, makes the batter puff up.
04 1 teaspoon cocoa powder, gives a small chocolate note.
05 1 teaspoon salt, for boosting flavors.
06 1 ½ cups of vegetable oil, keeps everything soft and moist.
07 1 cup buttermilk, room temp, gives a delicate texture.
08 2 large eggs, room temp, hold things together.
09 2 tablespoons of red food dye, gives it that deep red color.
10 1 teaspoon vanilla, boosts flavor.
11 1 teaspoon white vinegar, reacts with baking soda to create lift.
12 1 cup unsalted butter, browned to bring out nutty taste.
13 2 cups powdered sugar, sweetens and firms up the frosting.
14 1 cup softened cream cheese, rich and creamy.
15 1 teaspoon vanilla, adds extra flavor.
16 ¾ cup chopped pecans, toasted for a crunchy, nutty bite.

Steps

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch cake tins. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda, sugar, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk the buttermilk, eggs, oil, vinegar, food dye, and vanilla. Gradually combine both mixtures. Pour into pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Let them cool entirely before moving on.

Step 02

Over medium heat, melt the butter until browned, then set aside to cool. Whip cream cheese until smooth, mix in the cooled browned butter and vanilla, then slowly add powdered sugar. Finally, fold in the pecan pieces.

Step 03

Spread frosting between the layers, then cover the top and sides. Sprinkle more pecans over the top for decoration.

Notes

  1. The soft, slightly tart red velvet layers pair perfectly with the nutty, rich brown butter frosting.
  2. Using ingredients at room temperature makes mixing easier and smoother.
  3. Browned butter adds a deep, caramel-like flavor to the frosting.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are for informational purposes and don't replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Fats: ~
  • Carbs: ~
  • Proteins: ~