Maple Syrup Cake With Maple Frosting

Posted in response to a request for a Maple Syrup Cake somewhere on Zaar that nobody could locate. This one comes from Massachusetts Favorite Maple Syrup Recipes.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 9

Ingredients

• FOR THE CAKE

• 1⁄2 cup shortening
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 cup maple syrup
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 2  eggs, well beaten
• 1 3⁄4 cups cake flour
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 2 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄4 cup milk
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped  nuts (butternuts preferred)

• FOR THE FROSTING

• 1⁄2 cup maple syrup
• 2  cups confectioners' sugar
• 1  tablespoon butter

Directions

1. FOR THE CAKE:
2. Prepare a 9-inch square pan and preheat oven to 375°F.
3. Cream shortening; add the sugar gradually and cream well together.
4. Add maple syrup a small amount at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Add vanilla and eggs, and beat the mixture vigorously.
6. Sift the flour, salt, and baking powder and add to the mixture alternately with the milk; Mix only enough to blend the flour.
7. Stir in the nut meats and pour into a greased 9-inch square pan.
8. Bake in 375F oven for 25 minutes.
9. FOR THE FROSTING:
10. Bring syrup to boil for one minute.
11. Remove from heat and stir in butter; add sugar and continue cooling until consistency to spread; Frosting thickens as syrup cools.