BUTTER TOFFEE-PECAN LAYER CAKE RECIPE

Butter Toffee-Pecan Layer Cake Recipe image

This buttery vanilla layer cake is swathed in a creamy toffee frosting made extra luscious with the addition of browned butter and lots of toasted pecans.

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, divided
2 cups packed dark brown sugar
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons golden cane syrup (such as Lyle's Golden Syrup) or light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon bourbon, dark rum, or cognac (optional)
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup whole buttermilk
1 cup finely chopped toasted pecans
1/2 cup toffee bits (such as Heath Bits 'O Brickle Toffee Bits)
1/2 cup toasted pecan halves
1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt (such as Maldon), optional

Steps:

Prepare the Frosting: Melt 3/4 cup of the butter in a deep, heavy-duty saucepan over low. Increase heat to medium-high, and bring butter to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook, stirring constantly, until butter is fragrant and milk solids start to brown, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat, and stir in brown sugar, cream, syrup, salt, and, if desired, bourbon. Return pan to medium heat, and cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil. Boil, stirring constantly, exactly 2 minutes. Remove mixture from heat, and pour into bowl of a heavy-duty electric stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Beat on low speed until mixture is lukewarm, about 8 to 10 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, and beat on low speed until combined after each addition. Beat until frosting is completely cool and consistency is thick, creamy, and spreadable, 6 to 10 minutes. Add remaining 4 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, and beat on medium speed until fully incorporated after each addition. Cover frosting, and let stand at room temperature until ready to use. Prepare the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat 2 (9-inch-round x 2-inch-deep) cake pans with cooking spray, and line bottoms with parchment paper. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside. Beat sugar and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until thick and creamy, 4 to 5 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, and beat on medium speed until well blended after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Add flour mixture, one-third at a time, to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat on low just until smooth after each addition. (Do not overbeat or the cake will be tough.) Fold in chopped pecans and toffee bits. Divide batter evenly between cake pans, smoothing surface. Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted into center of cake