Pecan Spice Cake with Maple Frosting (RECIPE)

The aroma alone of this cake is enough to put you in the holiday spirit. Cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and maple waft through the air as this cake bakes, and it makes a house smell like home during the holidays. What could be more comforting?

I had the pleasure of trying a variety of Sahale Snacks recently, and I am completely hooked on the Maple Pecans. Apples, cherries, walnuts, and pecans are glazed in a maple coating, and they are extremely difficult to resist. They also have Balsamic Almonds (my hubby loved these), and Pomegranate Pistaccios (also super tasty), and several other varieties.

I love finding snacks like this because not only are they delicious, but they are non GMO, gluten free, and contain no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. You can feel good about eating these and feeding them to your kids!


Ingredients


CAKE:

Cooking spray
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
9 ounces all-purpose flour (about 2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash of ground cloves
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted

FROSTING:

1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon butter
Dash of salt
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons chopped pecans, toasted


Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. To prepare cake, coat 2 (8-inch) round metal cake pans with cooking spray. Line bottoms of pans with wax paper; coat with cooking spray. Dust each pan with 1 teaspoon flour. Weigh or lightly spoon 9 ounces flour (about 2 cups) into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 9 ounces flour, baking soda, and next 4 ingredients (through cloves), stirring well with a whisk.

3. Place 1 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup butter in a large mixing bowl; beat with a mixer at medium-high speed until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture and beating just until combined. Fold in 1/3 cup pecans. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.

4. Bake at 350° for 24 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 5 minutes on wire racks. Invert cake layers onto racks; cool completely. Discard wax paper.

5. To prepare frosting, place 1/2 cup brown sugar, heavy whipping cream, maple syrup, 1 tablespoon butter, and dash of salt in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil, stirring just until sugar dissolves. Cook 3 minutes, without stirring.
Scrape brown sugar mixture into a bowl. Add powdered sugar; beat with a mixer at high speed 2 minutes or until slightly cooled and thick. Beat in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Place 1 cake layer on a plate. Spread about 3/4 cup frosting evenly over 1 layer; top with second layer.
Spread remaining frosting over sides and top of cake; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons pecans. Let the cake stand until frosting sets.