Divine Butter Pecan Cupcakes Recipe: Sweet Homemade Joy

Sweet baking adventures await with these delectable butter pecan cupcakes that blend rich, toasty flavors into every bite.

Pecans crushed and folded into soft, golden batter create a delightful texture that melts in your mouth.

The nutty essence of butter pecan transforms ordinary cupcakes into an extraordinary dessert experience.

Each cupcake promises a perfect balance of sweet and savory notes that dance across your palate.

Creamy frosting crowned with caramelized pecan pieces adds an irresistible finishing touch.

These cupcakes are more than just a dessert – they’re a celebration of comfort and indulgence.

Prepare to fall in love with every single crumb of this irresistible treat.

Store Cupcakes With Their Texture Intact

• Keep cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Place wax paper between layers to prevent frosting from sticking.
• Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags. They'll stay delicious for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before adding frosting.
• If using cream-based frosting, store cupcakes in the refrigerator for maximum freshness. Remove 30 minutes before serving to let them reach room temperature and restore soft texture.
• Store extra toasted pecans in a sealed container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. They'll maintain crunch and flavor for 1-2 weeks, perfect for future garnishing or snacking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 500 kcal

Servings: 12

Butter Pecan Cupcake Ingredient Essentials

• Pecans: Select fresh, crisp nuts for maximum crunch and rich flavor; toast to enhance their natural buttery profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides essential structure and tender texture for cupcakes.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Critical leavening agents that help cupcakes rise and create soft, airy crumb.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity.

• Butter: Delivers rich, creamy undertones and ensures moist, luxurious cupcake texture; use room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Create sweetness layers with caramel-like depth from brown sugar.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients, provide richness, and contribute to cupcake's tender structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic background note that complements pecan and butter flavors.
• Buttermilk: Introduces subtle tanginess and helps create incredibly soft, tender crumb.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting with perfect sweetness.
• Heavy Cream: Adjusts frosting consistency and adds silky richness.

Tools to Mix, Bake, and Swirl Pecan Frosting

• Skillet: Perfect for toasting pecans evenly and developing rich, nutty flavor.
• Muffin Tin: 12-cup tin with cupcake liners ensures uniform cupcake size and easy removal.
• Medium Bowl: Used for mixing dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Large Bowl: Essential for beating butter, sugar, and combining wet ingredients smoothly.
• Wire Rack: Allows cupcakes to cool completely without getting soggy bottoms.
• Saucepan: Helps create brown butter by melting and browning butter carefully.
• Mixing Bowl: Needed for whipping brown butter frosting to creamy perfection.
• Electric Mixer: Crucial for beating butter, mixing batter, and whipping frosting until light and fluffy.
• Toothpick: Helps check cupcake doneness by inserting into center to ensure clean removal.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients and incorporating them evenly.

How to Make Cupcakes That Stay Moist

• Brown the Nutty Delights

Toast chopped pecans in a skillet with melted butter until they release a warm, rich aroma. Let them cool down while preparing the cupcake magic.

• Warm Up the Oven

Get your oven ready at a cozy 350F and line a muffin tin with cute cupcake wrappers.

• Create the Flavor Base

Whisk together the dry ingredients in a bowl, creating a smooth foundation for your delectable treats.

• Whip Up the Creamy Mixture

Beat softened butter with sugars until they transform into a fluffy cloud. Gently add eggs and vanilla, mixing until everything blends perfectly.

• Marry the Ingredients

Slowly combine dry and wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk. Fold in those toasted pecans for an extra crunch of excitement.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour batter into cupcake liners and bake for 18-20 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick – it should come out clean and promising.

• Craft the Dreamy Frosting

Brown butter in a pan until it turns golden and releases a nutty fragrance. Transfer to a mixing bowl and let it cool slightly.

• Whip the Frosting to Clouds

Mix browned butter with powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream. Beat until you create a smooth, dreamy topping that begs to be spread.

• Decorate and Delight

Lavish the cooled cupcakes with the brown butter frosting. Sprinkle extra toasted pecans on top for a final touch of deliciousness.

Toppings That Take Butter Pecan to the Next Level

• For deeper, richer pecan flavor, toast nuts slowly and watch carefully to prevent burning. Shake the skillet occasionally to ensure even browning and release maximum nutty aroma.
• Keep cupcakes incredibly soft by not overmixing the batter. Stop mixing as soon as ingredients are just combined to prevent tough, dense textures.
• Brown butter completely before cooling to develop intense caramel-like notes. Use chilled cream for smoother, more stable frosting consistency.
• Easily convert recipe for gluten-free diets by substituting all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free cup-for-cup flour blend. For dairy-free version, replace butter with coconut oil and use non-dairy milk alternatives.
• Cupcakes stay fresh for 3 days when stored in airtight container at room temperature. Freeze unfrosted cupcakes up to 2 months for convenient make-ahead dessert option.

Presenting Cupcakes for Parties or Brunch

• Pecan Paradise Plating: Arrange cupcakes on a rustic wooden board with scattered pecans for a charming, homemade presentation that highlights the nutty flavor.
• Dessert Duo Delight: Pair these cupcakes with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce to elevate the sweet and nutty experience.
• Coffee Companion Combo: Serve alongside a warm cup of rich, dark roast coffee or a creamy latte to complement the buttery pecan notes and enhance the dessert's depth.
• Brunch Brilliance Boost: Include these cupcakes as a stunning centerpiece for a weekend brunch spread, adding a touch of indulgence to your morning gathering.

Heavenly Butter Pecan Cupcakes Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Indulgent butter pecan cupcakes bring Southern charm to classic dessert traditions with rich, nutty notes. Sweet memories unfold as warm, golden treats invite bakers to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup chopped pecans
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 23 tbsps heavy cream or milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Extra toasted pecans (optional)

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Instructions

1. Pecan Toasting: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, add chopped pecans, stirring until golden and aromatic. Cool completely.
2. Oven Preparation: Heat oven to 350F (175C). Arrange cupcake liners in a 12-cup muffin tin.
3. Dry Ingredient Blend: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl.
4. Creaming Process: Blend softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until fluffy. Incorporate eggs individually, then add vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly.
5. Batter Integration: Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the sugar mixture, stirring until just combined. Gently fold in toasted pecans.
6. Baking Stage: Distribute batter evenly among cupcake liners. Bake for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean. Transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
7. Brown Butter Transformation: Caramelize butter in a saucepan over medium heat until golden and nutty-scented. Transfer to a mixing bowl and allow slight cooling.
8. Frosting Creation: Combine browned butter with powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and cream. Whip until smooth, adjusting cream for desired consistency.
9. Final Embellishment: Generously top cooled cupcakes with brown butter frosting. Optional: Sprinkle additional toasted pecans for garnish.

Notes

• Watch pecans closely while toasting to prevent burning, stirring frequently and removing from heat the moment they become fragrant and golden brown.
• Mix dry and wet ingredients just until combined to maintain a tender, light cupcake texture, avoiding tough or dense results.
• Allow browned butter to cool slightly before adding powdered sugar to prevent clumping and ensure smooth, creamy frosting consistency.
• Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and butter to help create even baking and a more uniform cupcake crumb structure.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg