Praline Spice Cake

Overload yourself with deliciousness! Makes a wonderful Fall/holiday dessert. I found this in Cooking Light under a less pretty name (though for the life of me can't figure out how it counts as light.) I am presenting here with the amount of icing doubled--it really needs it. But be warned--frosting sets VERY quickly. I recommend just pouring it on top and letting it spill down the sides, guiding it a bit. I personally prefer it a little light on the spices and served with milk.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 10

Ingredients

• 2  teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 9  ounces all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1  dash ground cloves
• 1  cup  packed brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
• 3  large eggs
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1  cup buttermilk
• 1⁄3 cup  chopped pecans, toasted

• Frosting

• 1  cup  packed brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1⁄2 cup maple syrup
• 2  tablespoons butter
• 1  dash salt
• 4  cups powdered sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2  tablespoons  chopped pecans, toasted

Directions

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. 2. To prepare cake, coat 2 (8-inch) round metal cake pans with cooking spray. Line bottoms of pans with wax paper; coat with cooking spray. Dust each pan with 1 teaspoon flour. Weigh or lightly spoon 9 ounces flour (about 2 cups) into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 9 ounces flour, baking soda, and next 4 ingredients (through cloves), stirring well with a whisk.
3. 3. Place 1 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup butter in a large mixing bowl; beat with a mixer at medium-high speed until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture and beating just until combined. Fold in 1/3 cup pecans. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
4. 4. Bake at 350° for 24 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 5 minutes on wire racks. Invert cake layers onto racks; cool completely. Discard wax paper.
5. 5. To prepare frosting, place 1/2 cup brown sugar, heavy whipping cream, maple syrup, 1 tablespoon butter, and dash of salt in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil, stirring just until sugar dissolves. Cook 3 minutes, without stirring. Scrape brown sugar mixture into a bowl. Add powdered sugar; beat with a mixer at high speed 2 minutes or until slightly cooled and thick. Beat in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Place 1 cake layer on a plate. Spread about 3/4 cup frosting evenly over 1 layer; top with second layer. Spread remaining frosting over sides and top of cake; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons pecans. Let the cake stand until frosting sets.