Crème Brûlée Caramel Pecan Cake
Crème Brûlée Caramel Pecan Cake
Ingredients:
Cake:
- 2 ½ cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (225 g) butter, at room temperature
- 1 ¾ cups (350 g) sugar
- 4 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (250 ml) whole milk
Crème brûlée cream:
- 2 cups (500 ml) heavy cream
- 1 vanilla bean or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 6 large egg yolks
- ½ cup (100 g) sugar
- Pinch of salt
Caramel glaze:
- 1 cup (200 g) sugar
- 6 tablespoons (85 g) butter
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
Decoration and assembly:
- 1 cup (120 g) pecans, toasted and chopped
- ½ cup (100 g) sugar (for brûlée topping)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
4. Alternately add the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
5. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
6. For the crème brûlée cream, split the vanilla bean and scrape seeds into heavy cream (or add vanilla extract). Heat cream until just boiling, then remove from heat.
7. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and salt until pale. Gradually whisk hot cream into egg yolk mixture, then return to low heat and cook, stirring constantly until thickened (do not boil). Strain and let cool.
8. For the caramel glaze, melt sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until golden amber. Add butter and stir until melted. Slowly whisk in heavy cream and salt. Let cool to room temperature.
9. To assemble, place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread half the crème brûlée cream over it. Sprinkle with half the toasted pecans.
10. Place second cake layer on top and cover entire cake with remaining crème brûlée cream.
11. Drizzle caramel glaze over the cake and sprinkle the top evenly with sugar. Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until golden and crisp.
12. Garnish with remaining toasted pecans. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cooking Time: 1 hour | Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Kcal: 520 kcal | Servings: 12 servings
Tips:
Use room temperature ingredients to ensure a smooth batter and even baking.
Toast pecans lightly to enhance their natural flavor and crunch.
Crème Brûlée Caramel Pecan Cake combines several classic dessert elements into one sumptuous and elegant creation. The cake batter, made with all-purpose flour, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and whole milk, creates a tender and moist base that complements the rich crème brûlée cream. This cream is prepared by infusing heavy cream with vanilla bean seeds or vanilla extract, then tempered with egg yolks and sugar to achieve the signature silky custard texture without curdling. The caramel glaze is a classic caramel sauce prepared by melting sugar until golden amber, then incorporating butter and heavy cream to add lusciousness and a smooth finish. Toasting the pecans enhances their natural nutty flavor and adds a delightful crunch contrast to the creamy layers. Assembly includes layering the cake with the crème brûlée cream and pecans, then finishing with a drizzle of caramel glaze and a brûlée topping made by sprinkling sugar on top and caramelizing it with a kitchen torch for a crisp, caramelized surface. For best results, ensure all ingredients are at room temperature, which allows for better emulsification and a more consistent batter texture. Baking the cake layers evenly and avoiding overbaking is essential to keep them moist. When preparing the crème brûlée cream, heating the mixture gently and tempering the egg yolks slowly is crucial to prevent scrambling. Chilling the assembled cake for at least an hour allows the flavors to meld and the cream to set properly. This sophisticated dessert serves as a perfect centerpiece for special occasions or as an indulgent treat. Its unique combination of textures—from the soft cake, creamy custard, crisp caramel crust, to the crunchy pecans—and flavors makes it an exquisite choice for anyone looking to impress with a visually stunning and decadent dessert.