Butter Pecan Cupcakes Recipe for Sweet Moments

Sweet memories of childhood bakeries dance through every delectable butter pecan cupcake, promising a nostalgic treat.

Crumbly nuts and rich cream blend perfectly in this irresistible dessert.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated these miniature delights with passionate precision.

Comfort wafts through the kitchen as golden batter transforms into tender confections.

Warm spices and caramelized pecans create a symphony of indulgent flavors.

Baking these cupcakes feels like wrapping yourself in a cozy culinary embrace.

Each bite whispers stories of home and happiness, inviting you to savor pure deliciousness.

You won’t be able to resist making these magical little cakes again and again.

What Makes Butter Pecan Cupcakes So Buttery and Rich

• Effortlessly craft these delightful butter pecan cupcakes that bring gourmet bakery magic right into your kitchen.
• Transform ordinary ingredients into a rich, nutty dessert that will wow family and friends with its sophisticated brown butter frosting and toasted pecan crunch.
• Master professional-style cupcakes with straightforward steps that require minimal baking experience, guaranteeing delicious results even for novice bakers.
• Perfect for potlucks, birthdays, or weekend gatherings, these cupcakes elevate any occasion with their irresistible combination of sweet, buttery, and nutty flavors.

What You’ll Need for These Toasted Nut Cupcakes

Main Ingredients:

Flour Group: – All-Purpose Flour: Basic structure and foundation for the cupcake, provides essential texture and stability.

• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Critical leavening agents that help cupcakes rise and become light and fluffy.

Sugar Group: – Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweetness and moisture, brown sugar adds deep caramel-like flavor and softness.

Butter Group: – Unsalted Butter: Rich flavor and tender crumb, key to creating a smooth, rich cupcake base.

Dairy and Eggs:

Dairy Group: – Buttermilk: Adds tanginess, helps activate leavening agents, and creates tender, soft texture.

• Heavy Cream: Helps adjust frosting consistency and adds richness.

Egg Group: – Large Eggs: Binding agent, provides structure and helps create a smooth, rich batter.

Nuts and Flavor Enhancers:

Nut Group: – Pecans: Adds nutty flavor and crunchy texture, toasting intensifies their natural sweetness.

Flavor Enhancers: – Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, deep flavor that complements butter and pecans.

• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

How to Bake Moist Butter Pecan Cupcakes

Step 1: Roast the Nutty Goodness

Heat a skillet over medium. Melt butter and toss chopped pecans around until they release a rich, warm aroma and turn golden. Let them cool down completely.

Step 2: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350F. Line a muffin pan with cute cupcake wrappers.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Step 4: Cream the Sweet Base

In a larger bowl, whip softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until fluffy. Drop in eggs one by one, blending thoroughly after each. Splash in vanilla extract for extra flavor.

Step 5: Create the Batter Magic

Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Pour in buttermilk, alternating between dry mix and liquid. Gently fold in those toasted pecans.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Distribute batter evenly into cupcake liners. Slide into the oven and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, around 18-20 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 7: Brown the Butter

Melt butter in a pan, watching it transform into a golden, nutty liquid. Transfer to a mixing bowl and let it cool slightly.

Step 8: Whip Up Dreamy Frosting

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Salt
• Heavy cream

Whip until smooth and spreadable.

Step 9: Decorate and Delight

Swirl frosting onto cooled cupcakes. Sprinkle extra toasted pecans on top for a crunchy finish.

Tips to Elevate the Frosting and Flavor

• Boost Pecan Flavor: Toast nuts in butter before adding to batter to enhance their nutty, rich taste and create a deeper, more complex flavor profile.
• Prevent Sinking Pecans: Lightly dust chopped pecans with flour before folding into batter to help them distribute evenly and prevent dropping to the bottom of cupcakes.
• Master Brown Butter Technique: Watch butter carefully while browning, swirling the pan constantly to prevent burning and achieve a perfect golden-amber color with a rich, caramel-like aroma.
• Create Smooth Frosting: Add cream gradually when whipping brown butter frosting to control consistency and prevent lumps, ensuring a silky, spreadable texture.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives like almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar for a lactose-free version of these delectable cupcakes.

Store and Serve Butter Pecan Cupcakes Like a Pro

• Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Wrap each cupcake individually with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• If unfrosted, keep cupcakes at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to maintain freshness.
• Place unfrosted cupcakes in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting and serving.
• Warm refrigerated cupcakes briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out the cake.

Coffee and Dessert Pairings That Match

• Match these buttery pecan cupcakes with smooth, complementary beverages and accompaniments that enhance their rich, nutty flavor profile.
• Pour a small glass of aged Kentucky bourbon alongside these cupcakes. The whiskey's caramel notes and warm undertones perfectly complement the toasted pecans and brown butter frosting, creating a luxurious dessert experience.
• Select a medium-roast coffee with subtle chocolate or caramel hints. The coffee's warmth and depth will highlight the cupcake's nutty sweetness, providing a delightful counterpoint to the dessert's richness.
• Add a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream next to the cupcake. The cold, creamy texture and pure vanilla flavor will balance the warmth of the pecan cupcake, creating a delightful contrast in temperature and taste.

Flavor Variations for Butter Pecan Cupcakes

• Gluten-Free Pecan Cupcakes: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend, ensuring the same tender texture while maintaining the rich pecan flavor.
• Vegan Butter Pecan Variation: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based butter, and swap buttermilk with almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar for a dairy-free version.
• Low-Sugar Pecan Cupcakes: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of granulated sugar, and reduce overall sugar content while keeping the nutty essence intact.
• Maple Pecan Alternative: Incorporate maple syrup into the batter and frosting for a deeper, more complex sweetness that complements the toasted pecans.

Butter Pecan Cupcake Questions Answered

• Why do I need to toast the pecans before adding them to the batter?

Toasting pecans enhances their natural nutty flavor and creates a deeper, richer taste. The brief heating process releases essential oils, making the pecans more aromatic and crunchy, which significantly improves the overall flavor profile of the cupcakes.

• Can I substitute buttermilk if I don't have it?

Yes, you can easily make a buttermilk substitute by mixing 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice with 1 cup of milk. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes before using. This alternative provides the same tangy flavor and helps create a tender, moist cupcake texture.

• What makes brown butter frosting different from regular buttercream?

Brown butter frosting has a distinctive nutty, caramel-like flavor created by cooking butter until it turns golden brown. This process develops a deeper, more complex taste compared to traditional buttercream, adding a rich and sophisticated dimension to the frosting.

• How do I know when the brown butter is ready?

The brown butter is ready when it turns a golden amber color and releases a nutty, almost caramel-like aroma. Small brown specks will appear at the bottom of the pan, indicating that the milk solids have toasted.

Butter Pecan Cupcakes Recipe

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4.5 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet Southern charm shines through these butter pecan cupcakes, blending rich nutty flavors with delicate buttercream frosting. Creamy, indulgent desserts promise pure comfort with each delightful bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs

Supplementary Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients:

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Garnish:

• Extra toasted pecans (optional)

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Instructions

1. Carefully toast chopped pecans in a skillet with melted butter over medium heat, stirring frequently until fragrant and golden. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
2. Preheat the oven to 350F and prepare a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
3. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl to ensure smooth dry ingredients.
4. Cream softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cupcake batter.
5. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter-sugar mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Blend in vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
6. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, gently folding until just combined. Delicately fold in the cooled toasted pecans.
7. Distribute batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full for optimal rising.
8. Bake for 18-20 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean when inserted into the center of a cupcake.
9. Allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
10. Create brown butter by heating butter in a saucepan until it turns golden and develops a nutty aroma, watching carefully to prevent burning.
11. Transfer browned butter to a mixing bowl and cool slightly before adding powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and cream.
12. Whip the frosting until smooth and creamy, adjusting consistency with additional cream if needed.
13. Generously frost cooled cupcakes, garnishing with remaining toasted pecans for a decorative and crunchy finish.

Notes

• Toast pecans carefully to enhance their nutty flavor without burning, watching the skillet closely and stirring continuously for even golden-brown coloration.
• Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and butter to ensure smooth, uniform batter consistency and better incorporation of components.
• Brown butter technique requires attention to prevent burning; remove from heat immediately when it turns golden and emits a rich, nutty aroma to create complex flavor profiles.
• Consider substituting buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives like almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar for lactose-intolerant or vegan dietary needs, maintaining similar moisture and tanginess.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg