Ingredients:
For the Cake:
1 ½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
6 large eggs, room temperature
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup buttermilk (or regular milk if you don’t have buttermilk)
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
½ cup packed brown sugar
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp melted butter
For the Caramel Pecan Glaze:
½ cup unsalted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tbsp heavy cream
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Directions:1. Prep the Cake:
Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan or a 9×5 loaf pan.
2. Make the Cake Batter:
In a large bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy (about 4–5 minutes).
Add granulated sugar and beat until smooth.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Start and end with the dry ingredients.
Stir in the vanilla extract and chopped pecans (if using).
3. Make the Cinnamon Swirl:
In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter.
Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan.
Swirl the cinnamon mixture into the cake batter using a knife or spatula.
Add the remaining batter and swirl again.
4. Bake:
Bake for 1 hour and 15–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Make the Caramel Pecan Glaze:
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
Add brown sugar and stir until it begins to bubble.
Add heavy cream and stir constantly for about 2 minutes until smooth.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
Fold in the toasted pecans.
6. Glaze the Cake:
Once the cake has cooled, pour the caramel pecan glaze over the top.
Let the glaze set for a few minutes before slicing and serving.