Maple Sugar Cake

Name: Maple Sugar Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 12-14 servings.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1-1/4 cups packed brown sugar; 3 eggs; 1/2 cup maple syrup; 1/4 cup 2% milk; 1/4 cup sour cream; 1 teaspoon maple flavoring; 2-1/2 cups cake flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon each ground allspice, nutmeg and mace; MAPLE SUGAR FROSTING:; 6 tablespoons butter, softened; 1-1/2 teaspoons maple flavoring; 4-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar; 1/2 to 3/4 cup sour cream; Chopped walnuts, optional

Old-fashioned maple sugar frosting tops this tasty spice cake. Its homemade goodness and simplicity were just what the judges were looking for at the local fair where it won a blue ribbon. Our fair celebrates its 120th anniversary this year.

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/4 cups packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup 2% milk
1/4 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon maple flavoring
2-1/2 cups cake flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon each ground allspice, nutmeg and mace
MAPLE SUGAR FROSTING:
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1-1/2 teaspoons maple flavoring
4-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 to 3/4 cup sour cream
Chopped walnuts, optional

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In a small bowl, combine the syrup, milk, sour cream and maple flavoring. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cloves, allspice, nutmeg and mace; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with syrup mixture, beating well after each addition.
Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to a wire rack to cool.
For frosting, in a large bowl, cream butter and maple flavoring until fluffy. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until smooth. Add enough sour cream to achieve spreading consistency.
Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with walnuts if desired. Store in the refrigerator.