Toasted Pecan Caramel Cake

At any southern church supper, social, or dinner on the grounds, a caramel cake will most likely vanish before any other dessert. The perfect caramel cake—without the slightest grain to the icing—is respected by all cooks; it is particularly relished by the southern male. Its appearance is no everyday occurrence either, being reserved for Sundays, birthdays, or holidays. The slightly astringent quality of the pecan is much to my taste. In this cake it works well to play against the intense