Maple Walnut Cake with Maple Buttercream Frosting

Three layers of soft maple cake topped with crunchy walnuts and a creamy maple buttercream frosting.

Pardon my not so neatly slice of cake. This is my very first attempt at a triple layer cake. Two layers? Done that. Triple? Nada.

Until now. Check it out! Not too shabby, right?

I’ve been trying to step out of my comfort zone when it comes to baking. A three layer cake may not be much to some, but, it was kinda a big step for me, baking wise.

Let’s talk about this cake. Get down to the important stuff. It is, of course, as mentioned, three layers. This cake also has an amazing maple flavor to it.

Oh, and the frosting? It kinda sorta has 2 sticks of butter in it. I know! Just eat it right at the gym. It will save you time. But, darn, it! It’s good.

Honestly, when it came to the frosting, I didn’t use the entire batch of it. There was still about a cup or so leftover.  If you notice, the sides of my cake are frosted a bit less than the rest. You can go to town and use it all or go a little lighter. It’s completely up to you.  It’s still delicious, no matter how much you decide to go with.  

Another option is the walnuts.  I sprinkled them on top of the cake.  However, spreading them out in between the layers is also an option.

A totally delicious cake anyway to decide to bake it!

Maple Walnut Cake with Maple Buttercream Frosting

Erin Table for Seven

Three layers of soft maple cake topped with crunchy walnuts and a creamy maple buttercream frosting.

4.65 from 37 votes

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Prep Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 50 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 828 kcal

Ingredients

  

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FOR CAKE:

• 2 cups flour
• ½ cup butter softened
• 1 ½ cups brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup store bought or homemade maple flavoring/extract will also work
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk

FOR FROSTING:

• 2 cups butter softened
• 5 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup
• ¼ cup milk

FOR WALNUT TOPPING:

• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• additional 2 tablespoons maple syrup for layers

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 3-9 in round cake pans well.
• In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and baking soda. Set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add in eggs and maple syrup.
• Gradually, add in flour mixture and buttermilk. Alternate between the two and mix well each time they are added.
• Pour batter evenly into the 3 prepared pans. Bake 10-13 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
• Let cakes cool for 10-15 minutes before removing pans. Let them cool completely on wire rack before frosting.

FOR WALNUTS:

• In a skillet, melt butter. Add in walnuts, then, syrup. Coat walnuts well. Let them cook for 5-8 minutes to toast.
• Remove from pan and spread out evenly on a foil-line baking sheet.

FOR FROSTING:

• In a large mixing bowl, beat butter until creamy. Gradually, add in powder sugar, maple syrup and beat well.
• Start with 1/4 cup milk and gradually add in until desired consistency is reached.

TO FROST:

• Place a cake layer on cake platter. Frost with 1 cup of frosting, then, drizzle with 1 TBSP of maple syrup.
• Repeat with next layer.
• Frost top and sides of cake with remaining frosting.
• Top cake with toasted walnuts.

Nutrition

Calories: 828kcalCarbohydrates: 98gProtein: 6gFat: 48gSaturated Fat: 26gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 486mgPotassium: 173mgFiber: 1gSugar: 80gVitamin A: 1314IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 107mgIron: 2mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!