Pecan Pie Cake

Thanksgiving dinner always includes an array of delicious desserts.
Do you have trouble choosing between a slice of cake or a piece of pie?

This recipe will solve that dilemma for you...

Pecan Pie Cake!

This just may be the perfect Thanksgiving dessert.

This delicious recipe has the best of both cake and pie worlds...

moist pecan cake, caramel filling, toasted pecans and pie crust leaves.

The top and sides of each cake layer are studded with toasted pecans.

The layers are brushed with dark corn syrup to give it a yummy pecan pie taste.

Pecan pie filling is then spread between the layers

and the cake is garnished with pretty pie crust leaves.

I think I hear angels singing!

Pecan Pie Cake

Adapted from Southern Living

Ingredients

Pecan Pie Filling

1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup dark corn syrup
4 egg yolks
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pecan Pie Cake

3 cups finely chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups granulated sugar
5 large eggs, separated
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk (or 1 c. milk mixed with 1 T. vinegar)
1 cup dark corn syrup

Pie Crust Leaves

1 pre-made pie crust
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water

Instructions

Pecan Pie Filling

In a 3 quart saucepan, whisk together first 6 ingredients until smooth. Whisk constantly while bringing mixture to a boil over medium heat. Boil 1 minute or until thickened. Remove from heat; whisk in butter and vanilla extract. Place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the mixture to prevent a film from forming and chill for 4 hours.

To chill quickly: Pour filling into a bowl and place the bowl inside a larger bowl filled with ice. Whisk constantly until cooled (about 15 minutes).

Pecan Pie Cake

Toast the chopped pecans: Spread on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Generously butter three 8 or 9 inch round cake pans. Divide 2 cups pecans evenly into buttered pans; shake to coat bottoms and sides of pans.

In a large bowl, beat butter and shortening with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually add the sugar. Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla.

Whisk together flour and baking soda. Alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. Stir in remaining 1 cup pecans.

Beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold one-third of the egg whites into the batter. Fold in remaining egg whites. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes. Invert layers onto wire racks with wax paper underneath. Brush the tops and sides of each layer with corn syrup, allow to cool completely.

Pie Crust Leaves

Roll out and smooth pie crust. Use a leaf shaped cookie cutter to cut out leaves and mark leaf veins with the tip of a knife. Whisk together egg and 1 tablespoon water; brush on pastry leaves.

To shape leaves: Crumple small aluminum foil pieces into 1/2-inch balls. Coat with vegetable cooking spray, and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Drape a pastry leaf over each ball.

Bake at 425° for 6 to 8 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Gently remove foil from leaves.

Assembling Cake: Place one cake layer, pecan side up, on your cake stand; spread half of Pecan Pie Filling on top. Place second cake layer, pecan side up, on top of filling; spread with remaining filling. Top with remaining cake layer, pecan side up. Arrange pie crust leaves on and around the cake, if desired.