Apple Cake With Maple Frosting

Comfort food, tender cake with chunks of apples, autumn spices and maple syrup frosting.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  freshly grated nutmeg
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 3⁄4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 1⁄2 cups granulated sugar
• 3  large eggs, at room temperature
• 1⁄2 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• 2  cups  diced peeled, granny smith apples
• 1⁄2 cup  nuts (optional)
•  for  frosting
• 1  cup pure maple syrup
• 1⁄4 cup unsalted butter
• 1⁄2 cup heavy cream
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1⁄2 cups powdered sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Butter the bottom and sides of 9x13 inch baking pan.
3. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and other spices including salt and set aside.
4. In a large bowl combine the butter and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time.
5. Using a rubber spatula gently fold in one third of flour mixture until fully incorporated. Gently, or the cake will be tough. Fold in 1/2 the buttermilk. another 1/3 of flour, then remaining buttermilk continuing to fold gently after each addition. Add remaining flour, apples the apples and nuts, if using.
6. Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake 35-40 minutes, watch closely DO NOT OVER BAKE.
7. Transfer to a wire rack and cool for at least 20 minutes.
8. To make the frosting, simmer the maple syrup in a sauce pan until it reduces by half, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and add butter. Stir until incorporated and add vanilla and cream. Stir powdered sugar into mixture and beat with a wire whisk until smooth. Let it cool completely before pouring over the cooled cake.