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1st Place Come for Dessert Recipe Contest - 2015

Mindy McCroskey - Washington County Fair
Come for Dessert Contest logo
images/Pecan Pie Cake Graphic

Serves 12

Pecan Pie Cake

Cake Ingredients

3 cups finely chopped pecans, toasted, divided
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening (like Crisco)
2 cups sugar
5 eggs, separated
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup dark corn syrup
Directions

  • Reserve some of the larger pecans for garnish and chop the rest.
  • Sprinkle 2 cups pecans evenly into 3 generously buttered 9" round cake pans; shake to coat bottoms/sides.
  • Beat butter and shortening at medium speed until fluffy; gradually add sugar; beat well.
  • Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating after each, blending well.
    Stir in vanilla.
  • Blend flour and baking soda and add alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour, beating on low speed after each addition.
  • Stir in remaining pecans.
  • Beat egg whites at medium speed until stiff peaks form; fold 1/3 egg whites into batter.
  • Fold in remaining whites (do not over mix).
  • Pour into prepared pans.
  • Bake in preheated 350° oven for 25 minutes or until done.
  • Cool in pans on racks for 10 minutes.
  • Invert layers onto wax paper lined wire racks.
  • Brush tops and sides of layers with corn syrup; cool completely.
Pecan Pie filling

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup dark corn syrup
1/3 cup cornstarch
4 egg yolks
1 1/2 cups Half and Half
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Directions

  • Whisk together first six ingredients in a heavy 3-quart saucepan until smooth.
  • Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly; boil 1 minute or until thickened.
  • Remove from heat; whisk in butter and vanilla.
  • Place a sheet of wax paper directly on surface to prevent a film forming.
  • Chill at least 4 hours. (Chill quickly: Pour into a bowl and place in a larger bowl filled with ice - whisk until cool - about 15 min.).
  • In testing, we also made this in the microwave, stirring after each minute - 30 second interval.
Assemble the cake

Place cake layer on platter, pecan side up. Spread 1/3 filling on layer. Repeat with next layer and top with last layer, pecan side up. Filing will drip down sides slightly. Garnish with pecan pieces.