Food & Cooking Recipes Dessert & Treats Recipes Cake Recipes Upside-Down Pecan Cake 3.9 (17) 1 Review By Martha Stewart Test Kitchen Martha Stewart Test Kitchen The recipes developed by our test kitchen team have undergone a rigorous process of development and testing, ensuring that every element is optimal, from ingredient amounts to method and cooking time. This process includes triple-testing recipes to ensure they meet our high standards. The many stellar cooks and food editors who have been part of our team include Sarah Carey, Lucinda Scala Quinn, Jennifer Aaronson, Shira Bocar, Anna Kovel, Greg Lofts, Riley Wofford, Lauren Tyrell, and Lindsay Leopold. Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 16, 2019 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Prep Time: 20 mins Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins Servings: 8 If you like, once you have zested the orange for the batter, you could cut the fruit into sections to serve alongside the moist and crunchy cake. Ingredients 1 ½ cups pecan halves (about 5 ounces) ½ cup (1 stick) plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled) 3 large eggs, room temperature 1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon grated orange zest Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet; toast until crisp, about 7 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop 1/2 cup pecans. Set remaining aside. Place 2 tablespoons butter in a 9-inch round cake pan; heat in the oven until melted, about 3 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar over butter. Scatter chopped nuts over sugar; set aside. In a food processor, process reserved pecans and flour until nuts are very finely ground. Set aside. With an electric mixer, beat remaining 1/2 cup butter and remaining cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until combined. In a small bowl, combine flour mixture, baking powder, and salt; fold into egg mixture. Stir in zest. Pour into prepared pan, smoothing top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool 10 minutes in pan; invert onto a rack to cool completely, bottom side up so the butter-pecan layer is on top. Rate it Print