Preheat oven to 350°.

Stir together flour and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl; add eggs and followed by next 4 ingredients, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.

Bake at 350° for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool cake in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack, and cool completely (about 2 hours).

Prepare Frosting

Cream 1 stick of butter and cream cheese for 2 minutes, gradually add powdered sugar; continue beating. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla until well blended.

When cake has completely cooled, frost add pecans on top if desired.