Pecan Upside Down Bundt Cake

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This Pecan Upside Down Bundt Cake features the irresistible flavors of pecans and cinnamon layered between moist yellow cake offering a comforting and indulgent treat that is perfect for any occasion.

A pecan upside down bundt cake on a white plate with one piece cut out but still on the plate.

When you need a simple yet delicious dessert, this cinnamon pecan coffee bundt cake is the perfect recipe!

Simple ingredients come together to make the layers of yellow cake batter and rich cinnamon pecans, leading to a stunning dessert (or brunch sweet treat) that will impress anyone you serve it to.

Whether for a holiday gathering, birthday celebration, or simply as a sweet indulgence, this Pecan Upside Down Bundt Cake is sure to be a hit!

Ingredients

yellow cake mix
eggs
oil
sour cream
instant vanilla pudding
sugar
pecans
cinnamon

See recipe card for quantities.

How to prep a bundt pan for a butter pecan bundt cake

A bundt cake pan that has been well buttered and floured on a wooden table.

Unless you want a broken, mess of a cake, you need to prepare your bundt cake pan very well.

Take a bit of room temperature butter and rub it all over the pan being sure to cover it fully. We find it easiest to use our hands to do this.

Then, sprinkle a tablespoon or so of flour in the whole pan and swirl it around to make sure every bit of the pan is covered.

Again, this is critical to ensure your butter pecan bundt cake will be removed cleanly.

Instructions

Cake Batter for a pecan upside down bundt cake in a brown bowl on a wooden counter.

Pecans, Sugar, and cinnamon mixed together in a small bowl on a wooden background.

In a medium bowl, beat together the cake batter ingredients with a hand mixer.
In a separate bowl, mix the pecan cinnamon filling ingredients.

An uncooked pecan upside down bundt cake in a prepped bundt cake pan.

A pecan upside down bundt cake batter in a prepped bundt cake pan.

Layer the batter and pecan mixture in your prepped bundt pan. See further instructions below.
Bake at 350° for 45 - 60 minutes. Let the cake cool in the pan for 1 hour before removing it to make sure your cake comes out clean and doesn’t fall.

Hint: The resting time for the cake and prepping your pan are essential to ensuring a beautiful cinnamon pecan bundt cake that is intact and perfect for serving to your family and friends!

How to layer cinnamon pecan bundt cake

A layer of cake batter in the bottom of a prepped bundt pan.

A layer of pecan cinnamon sugar on a layer of cake batter in the bottom of a prepped bundt pan.

The final layer of pecan sugar for a pecan upside down cake in a prepped bundt pan.

Start with a small amount of the cake batter that is just enough to cover the bottom of the pan.
Top with about half of the pecan cinnamon mixture.
Layer on more of the cake batter (be sure to leave plenty for the final layer) and be careful when spreading not to disturb too much of the pecan layer to have those defined layers in your bundt cake.
Sprinkle the remaining pecan mixture on top.
Finally spread the remaining batter on top. Again, be careful to cover all the pecans.

Substitutions for butter pecan bundt cake

Yellow Cake Mix: You can substitute the boxed yellow cake mix with your favorite homemade cake recipe.
Oil: Instead of vegetable oil, you can substitute it with a neutral-flavored oil like canola or grapeseed oil. If you use coconut oil, be sure to melt it before adding it to your other ingredients, and note that it could solidify some in your cake.
Sour Cream: Greek yogurt can be used as a substitute for sour cream if you don't have it on hand to provide similar moisture and tanginess.
Pudding Mix: If you want to switch up the flavors, you can try other pudding flavors. We haven't tried sugar-free pudding mix, so we aren't sure how this would change the flavor and texture.

Serving pecan upside down bundt cake

This cake can be served sliced on its own, but it is also delicious with:

Coffee or tea
A dollop of whipped cream
A simple glaze on top (Combine a small amount of powdered sugar with milk until smooth, then pour it over the cake and let it set before serving)
Vanilla ice cream and/or caramel sauce
Serve sliced for a delicious brunch treat

A piece of pecan upside down bundt cake on a white plate with the rest of the bundt cake on a plate on the side.

Equipment

To make this cinnamon pecan coffee bundt cake, you will need a Bundt Pan and mixing bowl.

Top tip

Do not forget to prep your bundt pan! Trust us, your cake will stick in the pan and it won't look as good. It is so easy to do and will lead to a gorgeous cake!

Storage

Storage - Store cinnamon pecan coffee bundt cake in an airtight container in the fridge for a week or at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Freezing - Allow your cake to cool completely and store tightly wrapped (whole cake or individual pieces) for 2-3 months.

A piece of pecan upside down bundt cake on a white plate with two pecans on it.

FAQ

How long does it take for a Bundt cake to cool?

We recommend allowing your bundt cake to cool for at least an hour before trying to remove it from the pan.

Should I let my Bundt cake cool before flipping?

Yes! It is essential to allow your bundt cake to cool before flipping it out of the pan. If you don't, the cake will likely stick and not be as gorgeous.

Can you use Pam to grease a bundt pan?

We don't recommend Pam to grease your bundt pan. We prefer butter and a dusting of flour.

Should I butter and flour my bundt pan?

Yes! Using butter and flour is our favorite way to prep a bundt pan.

How do you remove a bundt cake from the pan without it falling apart?

To remove from the bundt cake pan, place a plate on top and then carefully flip over the plate and bundt pan at the same time. If you properly prepped your pan and allowed the cake to cool, your cake should release easily onto the plate.

Other delicious comfort recipes

These are some other delicious comfort food recipes: