Step 1

Preheat the oven to 325°F and grease and flour a 10 to 12 cup Bundt pan.

Step 2

Use a mixer to cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy - about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at at time, mixing well after each addition.

Step 3

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 4

Turn the mixer on low, and add about half of the flour mixture. Mix well. Add about half of the buttermilk and mix well. Then add the remaining flour mixture and mix well. Add the remaining buttermilk and mix well. Add the vanilla and pecans and mix to combine.

Step 5

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes - or until the cake is just starting to pull away from the sides of the pan and toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 6

Use a skewer or toothpick to poke holes all over the cake.

Step 7

Make the glaze by combining the sugar, water, and butter. Cook over low heat until the butter has melted and the sugar has just dissolved. Do not allow to boil. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla; stir well. Pour the glaze over the cake while it is still in the pan - paying special attention to make sure the glaze drizzles down into the holes. Reserve about 1/4 cup of the glaze for later. Allow the cake to cool for about 30 minutes in the pan before placing a serving platter over the pan and inverting the cake onto it. Drizzle the reserved glaze over the cake.