Best 10 Dark Chocolate Pecan Cake Recipes

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Are you craving a decadent and indulgent dessert that is sure to tantalize your taste buds? Look no further than the dark chocolate pecan cake, a symphony of rich, dark chocolate and crunchy pecans, enveloped in a moist and tender crumb. This classic cake is perfect for any occasion, from intimate gatherings to grand celebrations. With its irresistible combination of flavors and textures, the dark chocolate pecan cake is sure to be a hit among chocolate lovers and nut enthusiasts alike.

Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!

OLD SOUTHERN CHOCOLATE PECAN SHEET CAKE



Old Southern Chocolate Pecan Sheet Cake image

I received this recipe from an old Southern cook, a copy of a copy of a typed-up sheet from long ago, annotated with her notes (which included the word oleo instead of margarine). I've never seen another chocolate cake recipe like it, which instructs the cook to heat part of the cake batter on the stove, and pour the cooked icing over a hot cake. The result is a wonderfully rich (yet surprisingly light) chocolate sheet cake topped with a cooked chocolate and pecan frosting. This cake has an incredible homemade taste, yet is foolproof! Will make you forget Duncan Hines®!

Provided by Leslie41

Categories     Desserts     Nut Dessert Recipes     Pecan Dessert Recipes

Time 55m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 cups white sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup water
½ cup vegetable shortening
½ cup margarine
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ cup buttermilk
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (16 ounce) box confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup butter
6 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease bottom and sides of a 9x13-inch pan.
  • Mix 2 cups white sugar, flour, and salt in a mixing bowl.
  • Combine water, vegetable shortening, margarine, and 3 tablespoons cocoa powder in a saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Pour liquid into flour mixture and stir well. Return saucepan to stove and set it aside.
  • Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk in a large liquid measuring cup and stir in eggs and vanilla extract. Pour egg mixture into cake batter and mix until fully combined. Transfer batter into the prepared pan.
  • Bake the cake in preheated oven until cake springs back when touched lightly with a finger or a tester comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
  • While cake is baking, prepare icing using reserved saucepan. Combine confectioners' sugar, 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, butter, milk, vanilla, and pecans in saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until hot but not boiling. Pour icing over hot cake immediately after it comes out of the oven. Allow cake to cool completely on a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 324.8 calories, Carbohydrate 45.1 g, Cholesterol 24.3 mg, Fat 15.9 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 2.6 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 185 mg, Sugar 35.7 g

DARK CHOCOLATE PECAN CAKE



Dark Chocolate Pecan Cake image

Made in a single loaf pan, this doubly good chocolate cake has a nutty praline layer and two layers of fluffy whipped cream. This is the only cake my husband really likes. -Laura Draper, Garfield, Washington

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 55m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoons chopped pecans
BATTER:
2 tablespoons shortening
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons beaten egg
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons cake flour
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons water
TOPPING:
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional: Chocolate curls and chopped pecans

Steps:

  • Line a 5-3/4x3x2-in. loaf pan with parchment; coat with cooking spray. In a small saucepan, melt butter; stir in brown sugar and cream. Cook and stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Pour into prepared pan. Top with pecans. Cover and refrigerate., In a small bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with water. Beat just until combined. , Pour over pecans. Bake at 325° until a toothpick comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool completely in pan., In a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form. Remove cake from pan; split into two horizontal layers. Place bottom cake layer, nut side up, on a serving plate. Spread with half of the topping. Top with remaining layer and topping. If desired, garnish with chocolate curls and chopped pecans.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 669 calories, Fat 40g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 126mg cholesterol, Sodium 428mg sodium, Carbohydrate 73g carbohydrate (49g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 7g protein.

DARK CHOCOLATE PECAN TORTE



Dark Chocolate Pecan Torte image

This recipe was invented by a 12 yr. old boy for a cooking contest. It's so good, I make it for my birthday cake. It really is so rich that you can get 10 servings out of an 8" springform pan

Provided by Marie Nixon

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 1h10m

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 egg yolks
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons water
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
3 egg whites
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons water
1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Remove the side from an 8" springform pan.
  • Line the bottom of the pan with waxed paper, extending the paper over the bottom edge.
  • Attach side to bottom of the springform pan, making sure paper is secured to the pan.
  • Trim paper to just beyond edge of pan.
  • Grease paper and 1 inch up sides of pan with shortening or butter; set aside (or, grease the bottom of a 9x1 1/2" round baking pan; line bottom of pan with waxed paper. Grease the paper and side of pan. Set aside).
  • Place the 1 cup of chocolate pieces and the 1/3 cup butter in a large microwave-safe bowl.
  • Microwave on 100 percent power (high) for 1 minute to 1 minute and 15 seconds or until chocolate is smooth when stirred; cool slightly.
  • Add granulated sugar and the 1 1/2 tsp vanilla to melted chocolate mixture.
  • Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until well mixed.
  • Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  • Beat in flour and water on low speed, just until combined.
  • Stir in the 3/4 cup pecans.
  • Thoroughly wash beaters.
  • In a bowl, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt with electric mixer on high speed just until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight).
  • Stir a small amount of the beaten egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture to lighten the batter.
  • Carefully fold the remaining egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan.
  • If using the springform pan, place it in a shallow baking pan on the oven rack.
  • If using the 9" baking pan, place it directly on the oven rack.
  • Bake cake in a 350°F oven about 45 minutes for the springform pan or about 35 minutes for the 9" pan or until the top is evenly puffed.
  • Torte will not test done in center.
  • Top will have a sugary crust that will crack.
  • Remove springform pan from baking pan.
  • Cool cake in pan on wire rack.
  • Loosen edge of cake from pan.
  • Remove side of pan.
  • Invert onto serving plate.
  • Remove pan bottom.
  • Peel off paper.
  • If using 9" pan, cool cake in pan on wire rack for 30 minutes; loosen side of cake and invert onto plate.
  • Peel off paper.
  • Cool.
  • Spoon Chocolate Glaze over cake, spreading to cover top and allowing glaze to drip over sides.
  • If desired, sprinkle top with chopped pecans.
  • Cover; refrigerate about 30 minutes or until glaze is set.
  • Chocolate Glaze.
  • In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter and 2 tablespoons water.
  • Microwave on 100 percent (high) about 45 seconds.
  • Add 1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar and 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; beat until smooth.
  • If necessary, add hot water, 1 teaspoon at a time to make a glaze consistency.
  • Notes:.
  • Because the torte has very little flour and lots of sugar, the top will puff up during baking and crack.
  • Don't worry about the cracks.
  • Before glazing, invert the cake so the smooth bottom becomes the top.
  • My cake did not crack on top.
  • Use a large spoon to spread the glaze on the torte, letting some of the glaze spill oven the side.
  • For a fancier dessert, use a spatula to carefully smooth the glaze around the sides of the torte and over the top.

CHOCOLATE PECAN LAYER CAKE



Chocolate Pecan Layer Cake image

Provided by Paula Deen

Categories     baking     christmas     dessert     potluck     sweets     thanksgiving

Time 45m

Yield 8-10

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups boiling water
3 cups sifted cake flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 pound (2 sticks) softened softened butter
3 1/3 cups divided packed light brown sugar
3 eggs
3 3/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 tablespoons milk
16 tablespoons (2 sticks) divided butter
2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup plus more, if necessary heavy cream
2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
1 cup chopped pecans for garnish

Steps:

  • For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans and line them with parchment paper.
  • Stir together the cocoa and boiling water until the cocoa dissolves.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat 2 sticks butter and 2 cups light brown sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat for 1 minute more. Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time. Beat in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Beat in the flour mixture and the cocoa mixture in three alternating additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
  • Divide the batter between the pans. Bake until the center of the cake bounces back when gently pressed and a tester inserted in it comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes, and then invert them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  • For the filling: Combine 1 1/4 sticks butter, 1 1/3 cups light brown sugar, and milk in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 3/4 teaspoon vanilla. Prick the cooled cakes all over with a toothpick. Spread half the filling on 1 cake layer. Top with the second layer and repeat.
  • For the frosting: Melt 3/4 stick butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir in the dark brown sugar and cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer and transfer it to a mixing bowl. Add the confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla and beat until the frosting is a spreadable consistency. Add more cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, if the frosting is too thick. Frost the top of the cake and sprinkle with the chopped pecans. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. The cake will keep for 3 to 5 days.

CHOCOLATE-PECAN COFFEE CAKE



Chocolate-Pecan Coffee Cake image

Chocolate and pecans in the crumb top. Chocolate and pecans in the cake. Chocolate and pecans in every bite.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h50m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 17

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
2/3 cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoons chopped semisweet chocolate
Pinch of fine salt
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more, for the pan
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup sour cream
1 cup finely chopped semisweet chocolate
1/2 cup chopped finely pecans

Steps:

  • Combine the flour, pecans, brown sugar, chocolate and salt in a small bowl and mix well. Add the butter and mix thoroughly with your fingers or a fork until all of the butter has been evenly distributed and incorporated into the flour. Form into small to medium clumps with your fingers.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8-inch square cake pan.
  • Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a small bowl.
  • Beat together the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the sour cream, beginning and ending with the flour, beating until just incorporated.
  • Spoon half of the cake batter (it will be very thick) into the prepared pan and smooth with an offset spatula. Sprinkle the chocolate and pecans on top. Spoon the remaining cake batter on top and smooth the top. Sprinkle on the crumb topping.
  • Bake until the cake and topping are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool in the pan 20 minutes, then invert onto a plate; invert back onto a rack to cool completely.

CHOCOLATE PECAN FUDGE CAKE



chocolate pecan fudge cake image

a great cake for desserts, or birthday partys!delisious and moist

Provided by millie100

Time 1h35m

Yield Makes Cake

Number Of Ingredients 0

Steps:

  • grease 3 tins, sift flour, cocoa, baking powder in a bowl. add butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Beat for 2 mins till smooth and paler colour. Divide the mixture into tins and bake at 180 celcius for 25 min roughly ( until risen) then leave to cool
  • for filling whip cream, of use squirty cream. roughly chop the nuts. Place one cake and spread with quater of cream and some nutella. scatter with half the nuts, and then spread with another quater of cream and place the second cake on top. cover this cake the same, and then place 3rd cake ontop.
  • for icing break chocolate and place in saucepan with butter and milk and heat gently til melted, remove from heat and beat in icing sugar. Leave to cool then spread over top of cake.
  • scatter grated white chocolate ontop and decorate with strawberrys ( optional)

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE-PECAN FROSTING



Chocolate Cake With Chocolate-Pecan Frosting image

This was a recipe I got from one of Oprah's television shows. This is a moist chocolate cake and one you can cut up into squares and eat right out of your hand with a napkin instead of a plate and fork.

Provided by CookingONTheSide

Categories     Dessert

Time 50m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 cups flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 pinch salt
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut up
8 tablespoons margarine, cut up
1 cup water
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
3/4 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut up
1/3 cup milk, plus
1 tablespoon milk
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
1 lb about 4 1/3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup toasted pecans, coarsely chopped

Steps:

  • To make the cake, position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Lightly butter and flour a 13x9-inch baking pan, tapping out the excess flour.
  • Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl to combine. In medium saucepan, bring the butter, margarine, water and cocoa to boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the butter and margarine.
  • Pour into flour mixture and whisk well. Add the sour cream, then the eggs and vanilla, and beat well. Spread evenly in the pan.
  • Bake until the cake springs back when pressed in the center, about 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack.
  • To make frosting, bring the butter, milk and cocoa to a boil in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the butter. Gradually stir in the confectioners' sugar, then the vanilla. Stir in the chopped pecans. Pour over the warm cake.
  • Cool the cake in the pan on the rack. Cut into pieces and serve directly from pan.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 677.7, Fat 34.4, SaturatedFat 14.3, Cholesterol 83.4, Sodium 233.9, Carbohydrate 91.6, Fiber 2.8, Sugar 71, Protein 5.8

DARK CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK PECAN PIE



Dark Chocolate Buttermilk Pecan Pie image

Since the first time I put this together four years ago, it now is a must for all our family gatherings. When I pull it out of the oven, I sprinkle a handful of leftover dark chocolate chips on top.

Provided by ashleyhas2manydogs

Categories     Desserts     Pies     Pecan Pie Recipes

Time 2h30m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 prepared 9-inch pie crusts
1 ½ cups dark chocolate chips
1 ½ cups white sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
6 eggs
1 ½ tablespoons vanilla extract
1 cup sliced pecans

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Press pie crusts into two 9-inch pie pans.
  • Melt chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching.
  • Mix sugar, flour, and salt together in a bowl.
  • Whisk buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl; stir buttermilk mixture into sugar mixture. Slowly pour melted chocolate into mixture, while beating with an electric mixer, until filling is smooth. Pour half the filling into each prepared pie crust. Sprinkle pecans over each pie.
  • Bake pies in the preheated oven until cooked through, about 1 hour. Cool for at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 352.7 calories, Carbohydrate 43.3 g, Cholesterol 70.4 mg, Fat 18.6 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 5.9 g, SaturatedFat 5.4 g, Sodium 236.2 mg, Sugar 20.1 g

CHOCOLATE PECAN CAKE



Chocolate Pecan Cake image

Categories     Chocolate     Nut     Dessert     Bake     Pecan     Gourmet

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped coarse
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped coarse
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons bourbon or dark rum
1 1/2 cups pecans (about 6 ounces)
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup egg whites (from 7 to 8 large eggs)
1/4 teaspoon salt
confectioners' sugar for dusting

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Oil or butter a 9- by 2-inch round springform pan and line bottom with a round of parchment paper or foil.
  • In a double boiler or a bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water melt chocolates and butter, stirring until smooth. Remove top of double boiler or bowl from heat and stir in bourbon or rum.
  • In a food processor pulse pecans with 3/4 cup sugar until finely ground. Transfer mixture to a bowl and stir in flour.
  • In another bowl with an electric mixer beat whites with salt at medium speed until white, opaque, and beginning to hold their shape. Gradually add remaining 3/4 cup sugar, beating at high speed until whites hold soft (not stiff), slightly glossy peaks. Stir in pecan mixture with a spatula until well blended and fold in chocolate mixture until no streaks remain (batter will deflate).
  • Pour batter into pan and smooth top. Bake cake in middle of oven 50 minutes, or until a tester inserted into center comes out clean. Run a thin knife around edge of cake to loosen and invert cake onto a rack to cool completely.
  • Remove parchment or foil and transfer cake to a platter. Cake may be wrapped in plastic wrap and chilled 1 week or frozen 1 month. Bring cake to room temperature before serving.
  • Just before serving, dust cake with confectioners' sugar.

CHOCOLATE PECAN CHEESECAKE



Chocolate Pecan Cheesecake image

Mouths will water at the sight of this fast-to-fix pie! Chocolate and caramel make this creamy cheesecake a fabulous dessert. -Christy Bowles, Garfield, Arizona

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 25m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

25 caramels
1/4 cup evaporated milk
3/4 cup chopped pecans, divided
1 chocolate crumb crust (9 inches)
2 packages (3 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1-1/4 cups cold 2% milk
1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix
1/2 cup hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, combine caramels and evaporated milk. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until smooth; stir in 1/2 cup pecans. Pour into crust. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. In a small bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes; beat into cream cheese mixture until blended. Spread over caramel mixture. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Before serving, drizzle with hot fudge topping and sprinkle with remaining pecans.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 548 calories, Fat 28g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 41mg cholesterol, Sodium 503mg sodium, Carbohydrate 68g carbohydrate (47g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 9g protein.

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Gather and measure all ingredients before you start baking. This will ensure that you have everything you need and that you don't forget any important steps.
  • Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This will help the ingredients mix together more easily and will result in a smoother batter.
  • Don't Overmix the Batter: Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense cake. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Bake the Cake in a Preheated Oven: This will help the cake rise evenly.
  • Cool the Cake Completely Before Frosting: This will help the frosting set properly.

Conclusion:

This dark chocolate pecan cake is a rich and decadent dessert that is perfect for any occasion. With its moist chocolate cake layers, creamy chocolate ganache frosting, and crunchy pecan topping, this cake is sure to impress your guests. So next time you're looking for a special dessert, give this dark chocolate pecan cake a try!

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