Maple Walnut Cake

Total Time Prep: 45 min. Bake: 15 min. + cooling
Yield 16 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
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

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

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 3 greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease parchment.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. For frosting, beat butter until creamy. Beat in maple flavoring and salt. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and enough cream to reach desired consistency.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

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
Recipe Creator

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