What You Need
3/4 cup unsalted butter ( at room temperature, plus a bit more to butter the pan)
1 1/4 cups pecans
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 Tbsp heavy cream
1 tsp dark rum
1/2 tsp baking soda
8 inch square baking pan
Food processor
Electric Mixer
Wire cooling rack
Before You Start : preheat oven to 350° and butter sides and bottom of baking pan.
Lets Make It! In a food processor finely grind 1 cup of the pecans. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and pulse to combine; set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat 1 stick of the butter with the brown and granulated sugars until light and fluffy, 5 to 6 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Gradually add the pecan mixture, mixing until well combined. Stir in the buttermilk and 1 tsp of the vanilla. Transfer the batter to the baking pan. Bake until golden brown (and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean) about 30 to 35 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes, and then transfer to a rack to cool completely. In a bowl beat the remaining butter with the confectioners' sugar and cream using an electric mixer, beat until fluffy. Beat in the rum and the remaining vanilla. Spread on cake. Chop the remaining pecans and sprinkle on top.
Serves 8
