Maple Walnut Cake

This Maple Walnut Cake with Boiteau Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup Frosting is my way of welcoming in the best season of the year…it’s 3 layers of fluffy maple cake with an irresistible maple buttercream. If you don’t snack on the leftovers for breakfast, you aren’t human.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 Tbsp Boiteau bourbon barrel aged 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 oz (28 grams) unsalted butter
  • 2 cups coarsely chopped Walnuts
  • 1 Tbsp Boiteau bourbon barrel aged maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

frosting

  • 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tsp Boiteau bourbon barrel aged maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 2-3 Tbsps heavy cream
  • 3+ Tbsp Boiteau bourbon barrel aged maple syrup, divided

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease 3 x 8-inch round cake pans & line bottoms with parchment, then grease parchment.
  2. Cake.  Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. 
  3. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
  4. Beat in maple syrup. 
  5. In another bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt,
  6. Add flour & buttermilk to the wet mix, alternating and beating after each addition.
  7. Transfer to pans and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 11-13 minutes. 
  8. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks & removing paper. Cool completely.
  9. Candied walnuts.  In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat & sauté walnuts until toasted, about 5 mins. 
  10. Add maple syrup (more than 1 Tbsp if desired) and salt and stir while cooking 1 minute. 
  11. Spread onto foil and cool completely.
  12. Frosting.  Beat butter until creamy. 
  13. Add maple syrup and salt and continue to beat. 
  14. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar and enough cream to reach desired consistency.
  15. Assembly.  Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate & spread with 1 cup frosting, then sprinkle with 1/2 cup candied walnuts and drizzle with 1 tablespoon maple syrup.  Repeat for second layer.
  16. Frost top and sides of cake, and top with remaining walnuts and maple syrup.