This maple-flavored cake with candied walnuts honors beloved my grandpa, who made maple syrup when I was a child. It honors his memory and has proven to be a favorite with family and friends throughout the years. —Lori Fee, Middlesex, New York

Maple Walnut Cake

Maple Walnut Cake
Prep Time
45 min
Cook Time
15 min
Yield
16 servings
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1-1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon maple flavoring or maple syrup
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- CANDIED WALNUTS:
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1-1/2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- FROSTING:
- 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon maple flavoring or maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 5 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup half-and-half cream
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup, divided
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 3 greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease parchment.
- Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in maple flavoring. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating after each addition.
- Transfer to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 11-13 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely.
- For candied walnuts, in a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat; saute walnuts until toasted, about 5 minutes. Stir in maple syrup and salt; cook and stir 1 minute. Spread onto foil; cool completely.
- For frosting, beat butter until creamy. Beat in maple flavoring and salt. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and enough cream to reach desired consistency.
- Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 1 cup frosting. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup candied walnuts and drizzle with 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Repeat layers.
- Top with remaining layer. Frost top and sides of cake. Top with remaining walnuts and syrup.
Nutrition Facts
1 piece: 653 calories, 38g fat (20g saturated fat), 116mg cholesterol, 275mg sodium, 75g carbohydrate (61g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
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