Pecan Spice Squares

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Servings: 4 servings Difficulty: Advanced
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Warm spiced cake with pecans and raisins, topped with orange cream cheese frosting
Pecan Spice Squares - Country Living recipe image
Pecan Spice Squares - Country Living recipe image
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Pecan Spice Squares

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: , Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Advanced
Servings: 4 servings Calories: 1215

Description

These Pecan Spice Squares are a comforting, old-fashioned dessert that captures the essence of home baking. The moist cake is infused with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and loaded with crunchy pecans and plump raisins. It is topped with a rich, creamy orange-infused cream cheese frosting that perfectly balances the sweetness. Ideal for holiday gatherings, tea parties, or as a special treat with afternoon coffee.

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 13-by-9-inch baking pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together cake flour, granulated sugar, ground pecans, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, salt, and cloves. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  5. Add the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
  6. Fold in the raisins.
  7. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan.
  8. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
  9. Cool the cake completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  10. Prepare Candied Orange Rind: Peel orange thinly into 2 1/2-by-1-inch strips. Cut into 1/8-inch julienne strips. Boil in water, drain, and repeat. Discard water, stir in 1 tbsp sugar, heat until melted and bubbly, then cool to room temperature.
  11. Prepare Cream-Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese and softened butter until fluffy. Beat in orange juice and orange extract. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until stiff enough to spread.
  12. Spread frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Refrigerate until frosting is firm.
  13. Cut cake lengthwise into 4 strips, then crosswise into 6 squares each.
  14. Decorate each square with pecan halves and candied orange rind.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4 servings

Amount Per Serving
Calories 1215kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 59.7 gg92%
Saturated Fat 25.8 gg129%
Cholesterol 97 mgmg33%
Sodium 1772 mgmg74%
Total Carbohydrate 160.4 gg54%
Dietary Fiber 6 gg24%
Sugars 46.4 gg
Protein 14.1 gg29%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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