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A slice of moist pecan zucchini bundt cake on a white plate with a brown sugar glaze dripping down the side.
Callie Brooks

The Best Pecan Zucchini Bundt Cake 

This pecan zucchini Bundt cake is moist, warmly spiced, and crowned with a brown sugar pecan glaze. A perfect blend of garden-fresh zucchini and buttery Southern charm.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

  • For the Pecan Zucchini Cake
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 large eggs at room temperature
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups shredded zucchini moisture intact
  • 1 cup chopped pecans toasted
  •  
  • For the Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  •  
  • For the Brown Sugar Pecan Glaze
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • ½ cup chopped pecans toasted

Method
 

  1. 1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Prepare a 10 or 12-cup Bundt pan by greasing it thoroughly and lightly dusting it with flour, making sure to cover every crevice.
  2. 2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon until evenly combined.
  3. 3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until smooth. Stir in the vegetable oil and vanilla extract until fully blended.
  4. 4. Make the Batter: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula only until no dry patches remain. Be careful not to overmix.
  5. 5. Fold in Zucchini and Pecans: Gently fold in the shredded zucchini and 1 cup of the toasted pecans. The batter will be thick.
  6. 6. Layer the Cake: Pour half of the batter into the prepared Bundt pan and smooth the surface.
  7. 7. Add the Swirl: In a small cup, mix the 2 tablespoons of sugar and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Sprinkle this evenly over the batter in the pan.
  8. 8. Add Final Layer: Carefully spoon the remaining batter on top of the cinnamon-sugar layer and gently spread it to the edges.
  9. 9. Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  10. 10. Cool: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for exactly 15 minutes. Then, carefully invert it onto the rack to cool completely before glazing.
  11. 11. Make the Glaze: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and cream until bubbly and smooth (2-3 mins). Remove from heat, whisk in powdered sugar, stir in pecans. Let cool 5-10 minutes and drizzle over cooled cake.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 5gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 220mgFiber: 2gSugar: 34g

Notes

This cake gets even better the next day—store covered at room temperature. You can freeze it unglazed for up to 2 months.

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