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Easy Box Mix Pecan Upside Down Cake

A slice cut from a pecan upside down cake with box cake mix, showing a moist yellow crumb and sticky pecan topping.
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Create a rich, Southern-style pecan upside-down cake quickly by starting with your favorite yellow box cake mix. This shortcut recipe delivers homemade flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients

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  • 1 box yellow cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box, usually eggs, oil, and water)
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups pecan halves

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the cake mix box for a 9×13 inch pan. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or springform pan.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Remove from heat and stir in the brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth. This creates your caramel base.
  3. Pour the entire butter-sugar mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared cake pan.
  4. Arrange the pecan halves in a single layer over the caramel mixture. You can place them in decorative patterns if you wish.
  5. Prepare the cake batter according to the directions on the box, using the required eggs, oil, and water. Mix only until just combined.
  6. Gently spoon the prepared cake batter over the pecan layer. Do not stir or disturb the topping layer.
  7. Bake according to the box instructions, but check for doneness 5 to 10 minutes earlier than the suggested time, as the topping can sometimes cause uneven cooking. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
  8. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for exactly 10 minutes. This cooling time is crucial.
  9. Place a serving plate or cooling rack upside down over the cake pan. Carefully and quickly invert the pan and plate together.
  10. Lift the pan off the cake. If any pecans stick to the pan, gently remove them and place them back onto the cake. Let the cake cool completely before slicing.

Notes

  • If you use a springform pan, wrap the bottom tightly with heavy-duty foil before baking to prevent any caramel leakage.
  • For a richer flavor, substitute the water required by the box mix with an equal amount of whole milk.
  • If you want a more Southern style pecan dessert, use a spice cake mix instead of yellow.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://blissbatter.com/pecan-upside-down-cake-with-box-cake/