Golden Butter Pecan Cupcakes Recipe: Heavenly Sweet Bites

Delectable butter pecan cupcakes dance with sweet Southern charm, blending nostalgic flavors into every tender crumb.

These classic dessert gems pack rich, nutty warmth from perfectly toasted pecans.

Creamy butter mingles with caramelized sugar, creating a mouthwatering symphony of taste and texture.

Each cupcake emerges as a golden-brown masterpiece, crowned with smooth frosting that melts on your tongue.

The aroma of brown butter and roasted pecans fills the kitchen with pure comfort.

Generations of bakers have perfected this delightful recipe, passing down its delicious secrets.

You’ll savor every decadent bite of these irresistible treats that promise to become an instant favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 335 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients For Butter Pecan Cupcakes

• All-Purpose Flour: Essential base that provides structure and texture to the cupcakes, choose unbleached flour for better flavor.
• Baking Powder: Creates light and airy texture, ensure it's fresh for maximum rising power.
• Baking Soda: Helps cupcakes rise and balances acidic ingredients, check expiration date for effectiveness.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and moisture, room temperature buttermilk blends more smoothly.
• Eggs: Provide structure and richness, use large eggs at room temperature for better incorporation.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth, opt for pure vanilla extract for authentic flavor.

• Butter: Provides richness and flavor, use unsalted for better control of saltiness.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create tender crumb, white sugar works best.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and caramel-like depth, choose dark brown sugar for more intense flavor.
• Pecans: Brings nutty crunch and toasty flavor, select fresh, high-quality pecans for best results.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, creamy frosting, sift to prevent lumps.
• Heavy Cream: Helps achieve perfect frosting consistency, cold cream whips better.

Tools To Bake Butter Pecan Cupcakes

• Skillet: Perfect for toasting pecans and browning butter evenly.
• Medium bowl: Ideal for mixing dry ingredients thoroughly.
• Large bowl: Essential for beating and combining wet ingredients smoothly.
• Muffin tin: 12-cup pan to create uniform cupcakes.
• Cupcake liners: Prevents sticking and makes serving easy.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients without lumps.
• Electric mixer: Helps create light, fluffy butter and sugar mixture.
• Mixing bowl: Necessary for whipping brown butter frosting.
• Saucepan: Used for browning butter carefully.
• Wire rack: Helps cupcakes cool completely without getting soggy.
• Toothpick: Checks cupcake doneness accurately.

How To Make Butter Pecan Cupcakes

• Roast Nutty Goodness

Toast pecans in a skillet with melted butter until they become golden and release a warm, rich aroma. Let them cool down completely.

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350F and line a muffin pan with cute cupcake liners.

• Create Batter Magic

Whisk dry ingredients in one bowl. In another, cream butter and sugars until they’re fluffy and dreamy. Add eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each.

• Blend and Fold

Gently mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Carefully fold in the roasted pecans for extra crunch.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour batter into liners and bake for 18-20 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick – it should come out clean. Cool cupcakes completely on a wire rack.

• Craft Brown Butter Frosting

Melt butter in a pan until it turns golden and smells nutty. Transfer to a mixing bowl and let it cool slightly.

• Whip Up Creamy Topping

Beat the browned butter with powdered sugar, vanilla, and a touch of cream until smooth and luxurious. Adjust consistency as needed.

• Decorate and Delight

Generously frost cooled cupcakes and sprinkle with extra toasted pecans for a stunning finish.

Tips For Flavorful & Moist Cupcakes

• Perfectly Toast Pecans: Always stir nuts constantly while toasting to prevent burning and ensure even golden-brown color that maximizes their rich, deep flavor profile.
• Buttermilk Magic: Using room temperature buttermilk helps create ultra-tender, moist cupcakes with soft, delicate crumb that melts in your mouth.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cupcakes accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: These cupcakes can be frozen unfrosted for up to 3 weeks. Thaw at room temperature and add brown butter frosting just before serving for maximum freshness.
• Boozy Pecan Twist: Optional splash of bourbon or rum in the batter can elevate the nutty, caramel-like flavor profile and add sophisticated depth to the cupcakes.

Ways To Present Butter Pecan Cupcakes

• Cozy Coffee Companion: Pair these cupcakes with a warm, rich espresso or cappuccino to complement the nutty, buttery flavors.
• Southern Brunch Showstopper: Serve alongside scrambled eggs and bacon for a decadent breakfast gathering that will impress your guests.
• Elegant Dessert Platter: Create a stunning dessert display by arranging cupcakes on a wooden board with fresh berries and a light dusting of powdered sugar for added visual appeal.
• Ice Cream Indulgence: Top each cupcake with a small scoop of vanilla bean or butter pecan ice cream for an extra luxurious dessert experience that enhances the cupcake's rich, nutty profile.

How To Store Butter Pecan Cupcakes

• Cupcake Cooldown Strategy: Allow cupcakes to reach room temperature completely before covering to prevent condensation and soggy tops.
• Fridge Storage Technique: Sealed container keeps frosted cupcakes fresh for 3-4 days when refrigerated. Remove 30 minutes before serving to restore soft texture.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before frosting.
• Nut Crunch Preservation: Store toasted pecans in airtight container at room temperature for maximum freshness. Use within 1-2 weeks to maintain crisp, rich flavor.

Irresistible Butter Pecan Cupcakes Recipe

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4.9 from 19 reviews

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

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Description

Rich butter pecan cupcakes combine Southern charm with sweet, nutty goodness. Moist cake layers crowned with creamy frosting create a delectable dessert that will make guests swoon.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (120 g) chopped pecans
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter (for cupcakes)
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (110 g) brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter (for frosting)
• 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
• 3 tbsps (44 ml) heavy cream or milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt
• Extra toasted pecans (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Pecan Toasting: Melt butter in a skillet and toast chopped pecans, stirring consistently until a rich, nutty aroma emerges. Remove from heat and cool completely.
2. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F and line a standard muffin tin with cupcake liners.
3. Dry Ingredient Combination: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until uniformly blended.
4. Wet Ingredient Fusion: Cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring complete integration after each addition. Blend in vanilla extract for enhanced flavor complexity.
5. Batter Assembly: Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing. Gently incorporate toasted pecans throughout the batter.
6. Baking Process: Fill cupcake liners two-thirds full with batter. Bake for 18-20 minutes, verifying doneness with a clean-emerging toothpick when inserted into the center.
7. Brown Butter Frosting Creation: Slowly brown butter in a saucepan until golden and releasing a nutty fragrance. Combine browned butter with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and cream. Whip until smooth and spreadable, adjusting cream for optimal consistency.
8. Cupcake Finalization: Allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack. Frost with elegant swirls of brown butter frosting, garnishing with additional toasted pecans for a decorative and textural accent.

Notes

• Perfectly Toast Pecans: Stir continuously in butter over medium-low heat to prevent burning, watching for a golden-brown color and releasing a rich, nutty aroma as the key to developing deep flavor.
• Prevent Overmixing Batter: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined, stopping when no flour streaks remain to ensure tender, light cupcakes with a delicate crumb.
• Brown Butter Technique: Heat butter slowly and steadily, watching for golden-brown color and nutty smell, stirring constantly to develop complex, caramelized notes without scorching the butter.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend, use plant-based butter alternatives, and replace eggs with flax eggs for dairy-free and gluten-free variations that maintain the cupcake’s signature rich texture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 335
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg