01/15/2024
Maple Monday! Maple Cake
Ingredients
Cake
2 and ¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 and ¼ teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
¾ cup (1 and ½ sticks) unsalted butter room temperature
½ cup light brown sugar packed
3 large eggs room temperature
1 and ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup maple syrup
¼ cup whole milk - I used 1%
Maple cream cheese frosting
1 8-ounce package cream cheese softened
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter room temperature
2 teaspoons maple flavoring Note: if you use maple syrup, the flavor won’t be concentrated enough
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
4 cups powdered sugar
1 cup pecans or spiced pecans optional
Instructions
Make the cake
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Generously grease and line two 8” round baking pans or three 6” pans with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a measuring cup, mix together the maple syrup and the milk until well blended. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl if using a handheld mixer, cream the butter and sugar on medium high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Reduce the mixer speed to low and add in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add in the vanilla.
Alternatively add the flour mixture and the maple syrup, beginning and ending with the fry ingredients.
Evenly distribute the batter into your prepared baking pans, making sure to smooth the top. Bake in your preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
Allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling.
Make the buttercream
In the clean bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl if using a handheld mixer, cream the butter and cream cheese together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the maple extract, vanilla, and salt and mix well.
Turn the mixer down to low and slowly add in the powdered sugar and mix until frosting is smooth.
Assemble the cake
If your cakes have domed while baking, make sure to cut off the tops with a serrated knife.
Place one cake, flat side down, on a cake plate or cake stand. Top with frosting and smooth out the top. Repeat with the second layer (if using 3 layers; if you only have 2 layers, place the flat side up when adding your second layer).
Frost the tops and sides with a thin layer of frosting. Place the cake in the refrigerator to cool for about 30 minutes and allow the crumb coat to set.
Remove the cake from the refrigerator and frost the top and side with the remaining frosting. If desired, garnish with pecans.
Slice and enjoy.
Notes
Leftover cake should be covered and can be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature and will last several days.
Recipe by: Amanda