Maple-Pecan Cupcakes

ratherbeswimmin''s Note:

Love maple syrup. It is used to sweeten the cupcakes

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 12 cupcakes

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ cup butter , at room temperature
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups milk
• ¾ cup chopped pecans

Frosting

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ½ cup chopped candied pecans

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°. Insert cupcake liners into cupcake pans.
2. In a bowl, sift flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat butter on medium speed.
4. Add maple syrup to butter and continue beating until mixture is light and airy.
5. Decrease speed to low, add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
6. Gradually add dry ingredients and milk; mix until well incorporated into smooth batter.
7. Mix in chopped pecans by hand.
8. Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 full.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cupcakes are springy to the touch and a pick comes out clean.
10. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack for 10 minutes.
11. Prepare frosting: in a bowl, whip cream with 3 tablespoons maple syrup until firm frosting is achieved.
12. Fold chopped pecans into frosting.
13. Place dollop of maple frosting on each cupcake, adding a teaspoon of maple syrup on top of the frosting.