Pecan Fig Bourbon Cake

A rich and moist bundt cake featuring tender Black Mission figs, toasted pecans, and a bourbon-vanilla flavor, finished with a sweet cream glaze. This elegant dessert combines southern comfort with sophisticated taste.

12 servings
2 hr 28 min

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried Black Mission figs, hard tips discarded
  • 2 cups water
  • ½ cup bourbon
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups sifted cake flour (not self-rising; sift before measuring)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • cups pecans
  • 2 cups packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup confectioners sugar
  • tablespoons heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons bourbon
  • ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 piece 12-cup bundt pan

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Simmer figs in water in a heavy medium saucepan, covered, until figs are tender and most of liquid is absorbed, 35 to 40 minutes. Purée in a food processor with bourbon and vanilla. Cool to warm.

    40 min

  2. 2.

    Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Butter and flour bundt pan, knocking out excess flour.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    While oven preheats, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Lightly toast pecans in a shallow baking pan in oven, 8 to 10 minutes, then cool and coarsely chop. Leave oven on.

    10 min

  5. 5.

    Beat together brown sugar, oil, and eggs in a large bowl with an electric mixer until thick and creamy, about 3 minutes. Stir in fig mixture. At low speed, mix in flour mixture until just incorporated, then fold in pecans.

    8 min

  6. 6.

    Pour batter into bundt pan and bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Cool cake completely in pan on a rack, then invert onto a plate.

    75 min

  7. 7.

    Sift confectioners sugar into a bowl, then whisk in remaining icing ingredients until smooth. Drizzle over cake.

    5 min

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