Easy Pecan Upside Down Cake (from a Cake Mix)

This upside down pecan cake is a buttery, seasonal delight made with a boxed cake mix. It’s as easy as it is delicious!

Indulge in the warm, buttery embrace of the season with Pecan Upside Down Cake, featuring a gooey pecan topping over a soft, melt-in-your-mouth cake.

side view of a slice of pecan upside down cake served on a white plate

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As we move from fall into winter, it seems there are always a million reasons to gather with friends.

From fall festivals to Thanksgiving and Christmas to New Year’s, there is some type of party or potluck nearly every weekend.

That’s why simple, yet decadent desserts are my love language.

I love to bake something that has familiar elements combined with a bit of a surprise.

But I also can’t spend hours in the kitchen!

Over the years I have learned to take shortcuts by using boxed cake mixes and baking mixes, adding my own touches to take them to the next level.

Mixing in a bit of this and a bit of that so I have a uniquely delicious dessert.

This pecan upside down cake is a delightful twist on the classic pineapple upside down cake, but with the flavors of a classic pecan pie.

A velvety, golden, tender cake (from a box mix), baked to perfection, then inverted to reveal a sumptuous pecan topping that’s not only gooey and buttery but also warmly seasonal.

Similar to my Bite-sized Pecan Pickups, Bisquick Pecan Cobbler, and Southern Pecan Bread, it’s the kind of dessert that warms your heart and soul, making it an ideal addition to your holiday table or any gathering during this magical time of year.

While it carries the delicious essence of pecan pie, this cake is a unique alternative, thanks to the addition of a soft and moist cake layer that practically melts in your mouth.

pecan upside down bundt cake detail view, showing pecan topping on the cake

Pecans: The Star of Upside Down Pecan Cake

Making pecan cake from a mix is an easy way to highlight one of the season’s best ingredients – pecans!

Pecans are harvested in the autumn months, so they are readily available and at their freshest during this time of the year.

This natural timing kickstarts the pecan dessert craze, and desserts like this pecan upside down cake go hand in hand with the season.

The rich, buttery, and slightly sweet flavor of pecans also perfectly complements the cozy and comforting ambiance of fall.

They offer a nutty, toasty goodness that pairs well with other seasonal ingredients like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Pecan desserts serve as a delicious embodiment of the autumnal spirit, capturing the essence of gatherings around the fireplace and hearty family feasts.

I love to serve pecan treats, such as Instant Pot Pecan Pie and Instant Pot Pecan Cheesecake Bites, on our Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner tables.

This luscious and simple upside down pecan cake is sure to become a part of your cherished holiday tradition, too!

More Cake Mix Recipes You’ll Love:

How to Make this Pecan Upside Down Bundt Cake Recipe

It’s really easy to make this delicious treat!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

For the Cake Batter:

  • Boxed Yellow Cake Mix
  • Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
  • Eggs
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Sour Cream
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Warm Water

For the Pecan Topping:

  • Brown Sugar
  • Butter
  • Light Corn Syrup
  • Pecans
overhead view of a serving of upside down pecan cake on a white plate, with two forks and the remaining bundt cake in the background.

How to Make It:

(Full printable recipe card is available below)

Prepare the cake batter. First, you’ll grease a bundt pan well with butter or a nonstick baking spray.

Then combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, oil, sour cream, vanilla extract, and water in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.

Alternatively, you can use a large bowl with a hand mixer.

Mix on low speed for about 30 seconds, then scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Then increase to medium-high speed and mix for about 2 minutes.

two photos; one shows all cake batter ingredients in a mixing bowl, the other shows the ingredients mixed together to form the pecan cake batter

Make the syrup. Next, you’ll combine brown sugar, melted butter, and corn syrup in a small mixing bowl.

Mix to incorporate together.

two photos; one shows melted butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a mixing bowl. The other shows a spatula stirring the ingredients together to form a syrup.

Add the pecans. Next, you’ll add chopped pecans and stir to combine.

two photos; one shows chopped pecans added to the syrup mixture, the other shows a spatula stirring the pecans into the syrup.

Layer the bundt pan. Next, you’ll spoon the pecan mixture into an even layer on the bottom of the pan.

Pour the vanilla cake batter gently over the pecan mixture. Tap the pan lightly on the counter to dislodge any air bubbles.

two photos; one shows pecan topping added to the bottom of a greased bundt pan, the other shows the cake batter poured over the pecan mixture.

Bake the cake. Next you’ll transfer pan to preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until golden-brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

pecan upside down cake, still in the bundt pan, fresh out of the oven

Cool and invert the cake. Last, you’ll remove if from the oven and let the cake cool in the pan for about 5-10 minutes.

To do so, run a butter knife around the top of the bundt pan, all along the edges of the cake, to loosen from the sides of the pan.

Place a serving plate over the pan and invert the pan, allowing the cake to transfer to the plate.

Let the cake cool completely before slicing and serving.

pecan upside down cake inverted onto a white serving plate

Notes and Adaptations:

  • This cake is delicious on its own, but can also be served with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
  • If you don’t have sour cream on hand, I recommend using plain Greek yogurt instead.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
slice of cake mix pecan upside down cake served on a white plate in front of the remaining bundt cake
Yield: 12 Servings

Pecan Upside Down Cake

close-up view of a slice of pecan upside down cake, showing the tender interior and the caramelized pecan topping

This delicious pecan upside down bundt cake makes an easy and perfect dessert for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or any occasion when you need a simple yet impressive treat.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

  • For the Cake Batter:
  • 15.25-oz boxed yellow cake mix
  • 3.4-oz instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup warm water
  • For the Pecan Topping:
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 1/2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F and thoroughly grease a bundt pan (a nonstick baking spray like Baker's Joy is a great option).
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large mixing bowl if using a handheld electric mixer), combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, oil, sour cream, vanilla extract, and water.
  3. Turn the mixer on low speed for about 30 seconds to combine ingredients. Turn off mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
  4. Begin mixing on medium-high speed, continuing to mix for about 2 minutes. Turn mixer off.
  5. In a small mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, melted butter, and corn syrup. Mix to incorporate together.
  6. Add chopped pecans and stir to combine.
  7. Spoon the pecan mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared bundt pan.
  8. Pour cake batter gently over the pecan mixture. Tap the pan lightly on the counter to dislodge any air bubbles.
  9. Transfer pan to preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until golden-brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  10. Remove cake from oven and let cool in the pan for about 5-10 minutes. Run a knife along the edges of the cake to loosen from the sides of the pan. Place a serving plate over the pan and invert the pan, allowing the cake to transfer to the plate. Some pecans might fall down the sides of the cake once it's inverted, but that's normal (and adds to the beauty, in my opinion!).
  11. Let cake cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • This cake is delicious on its own, but can also be served with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
  • If you don't have sour cream on hand, I recommend using plain Greek yogurt instead.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 519Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 483mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 2gSugar: 41gProtein: 5g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is not guaranteed for accuracy.

Want more delicious recipe ideas?

Check out even more mealtime inspiration on my Pinterest boards!

Don’t forget to save this recipe to your desserts board on Pinterest!

two photos; one shows a slice of pecan upside down cake on a plate, the other shows a detailed look at the pecan topping on a pecan upside down bundt cake

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