Southern Bourbon Cake with Butter Glaze and Toasted Pecans
This old-fashioned Southern bourbon bundt cake is rich, buttery, and unapologetically boozy. Toasted pecans add a nutty crunch while a sweet bourbon glaze seeps into every crumb. It’s the make-ahead holiday dessert your grandma baked when the preacher wasn’t lookin’—a true Southern classic with main-character energy.
Have all ingredients at room temperature before beginning.
Grease a bundt pan and add about ¼ cup sugar.
Move the bundt pan around and gently shake until the sugar coats the pan.
Pour out any excess sugar.
Preheat the oven to 325F.
Cream the butter and 2 cups of sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.
Beat in ½ cup of the bourbon.
Blend the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg together.
Add to the creamed mixture a little at a time.
Stir in the remaining ¼ cup bourbon and pecans.
Spoon into the prepared bundt pan.
Bake at 325F for 1 hour 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted halfway between the side and the center has just one or two crumbs attached to it. It will read 190℉ - 200℉ on an instant read thermometer when done.
Remove cake from oven.
While still hot pour the 3 tablespoons of bourbon over the cake along the outside edge.
Let cool in the pan.
Glaze
Add the Confectioner's sugar to a bowl.
Stir in the melted butter until well blended.
Add enough bourbon to make a thick glaze.
Spoon the glaze over the cooled cake and sprinkle with more chopped pecans.
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Notes
Storage:This bourbon cake is best if you make it a day or so ahead of time. Leftovers can be stored at room temperature for about 4 days. Cover with plastic wrap or place in a cake carrier to keep it fresh.This cake freezes very well for up to 3 months.Tips:
It's good without the bourbon, if you don't drink. Just substitute a good, spicy ginger beer or ginger ale for the bourbon if you don't imbibe. Apple cider will work, too.