A very moist sheet cake soaked in a rich praline sauce and topped with a creamy frosting and toasted pecans.
Author:Ahazzam
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:35 min
Total Time:1 hour 55 min
Yield:12 servings
Category:Dessert
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
1 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted (for cake batter)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup water (for sauce)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for sauce)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup heavy cream (for frosting)
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted (for topping)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
Prepare the cake batter according to the yellow cake mix directions, substituting the required water with 1 cup of water, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir in the 1/2 cup of chopped pecans.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
While the cake cools, prepare the praline sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the 1/2 cup butter, brown sugar, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup water, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture simmers. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
Use the handle of a wooden spoon or a fork to poke holes all over the top of the warm cake, about 1 inch apart.
Slowly pour the warm praline sauce evenly over the entire cake, allowing the sauce to soak into the holes. Let the cake cool completely, about 1 hour.
Prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup softened butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and salt, beating until combined. Add the 1/2 cup heavy cream and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled, soaked cake.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of toasted pecans over the top of the frosting. Chill the cake for at least 1 hour before serving for the best texture.
Notes
Toast the pecans lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
You can make this cake one day ahead; cover and refrigerate.
For an extra rich flavor, use buttermilk instead of water in the cake mix, if desired.