Carolina Butter Pecan Cake Bars

A rich butter pecan cake is crumbled and mixed with cream cheese frosting in this delicious twist on a Southern favorite cut into bars.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 974 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup butter
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ⅔ cup butter, softened
• 11 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 6 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk, or more as needed
• 1 teaspoon butter extract
• 1 ½ cups pecan pieces

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.

Step 2

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add pecans and cook until toasted, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

Step 3

Combine white sugar and 1 cup butter in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and butter extract.

Step 4

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Add to creamed butter mixture alternately with milk, beating just until combined. Fold in pecans. Pour batter into the prepared pan.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.

Step 6

Beat confectioners' sugar, cream cheese, 2/3 cup butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and almond extract in a large bowl until smooth. Beat in enough milk to give frosting a spreadable consistency.

Step 7

Divide hot cake in half and chop 1 half into a large bowl. Stir in 1/4 of the frosting. Repeat with remaining half, stirring in an additional 1/4 of the frosting. Spread mixture back into the baking pan; press flat with your fingers. Spread remaining frosting over the pressed cake mixture.

Step 8

Refrigerate until firm, 3 to 4 hours. Cut into bars.