Save Room for Dessert…Tastes Like Pecan Pie Cake

The real name for this cake has long been forgotten. If I had to guess, mandarin orange was probably in the title. But, given that the cake has no mandarin orange flavor whatsoever, I can see why it’s known as “tastes like pecan pie cake” in my family. Always a hit, easy to make, and delicious to eat, be sure to save room for dessert when you bake this cake!

Tastes Like Pecan Pie Cake
2-11oz cans mandarin oranges, drained (reserve syrup)
1 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup reserved syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup turbinado sugar (substitute dark brown sugar)
3 cups pecan halves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees or 325 degrees if using a glass pan.
Butter or spray with non-stick spray a 13×9 pan.
Whisk together flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt.
With a mixer, beat together the egg, vanilla, mandarin oranges, and 1/2 cup of the reserved syrup.
Combine wet and dry ingredients and pour into prepared 13×9 baking dish.
Evenly distribute the pecans over the top of the batter, then sprinkle on the turbinado sugar.
Bake for 45-50 minutes and serve with vanilla ice cream.