Expert Tips
- Use light-colored pans when browning butter so you can see the milk solids turn golden without burning.
- Toast pecans briefly in a dry skillet or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 6–8 minutes to amplify their aroma before chopping and folding into the batter.
- Weigh ingredients where possible for consistent results—baking is chemistry, and small differences in flour or sugar affect texture.
- Cool the cake partially in the pan before inverting; removing too soon can cause the cake to break, while leaving it too long can make unmolding difficult.
- For a showstopping finish, sprinkle a few extra candied pecans and flaky sea salt over the glaze just before it sets to enhance texture and flavor contrast.
