Maple Chocolate Cake Recipes

MAPLE CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• 1. Position oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F.
• 2. Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch rectangular baking pan or two 9-inch round pans (and line them with parchment paper), or line 18 wells of two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners.
• 3. Into a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• 4. In a large measuring cup or medium bowl, whisk together the syrup, yogurt, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract.
• 5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Using a whisk, energetically blend the batter by hand until smooth and thick, about 1 minute. Spread the batter into the prepared pan or pans. (For fill the cups no more than two-thirds full-you should get 18 cupcakes.)
• 6. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean and the tops of the cakes spring back when lightly touched, 30 to 35 minutes for sheet and/or layer cakes, or 20 minutes for cupcakes. Cool completely in the pans on a wire rack before inverting and frosting.

MAPLE-WALNUT CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Generously grease 2 (8- or 9-inch) round pans. Make cake mix as directed on box using water, oil and eggs. Pour into pans.
• Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pans; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours.
• In large bowl, mix powdered sugar and butter with spoon or electric mixer on low speed until blended. Stir in 4 tablespoons maple syrup and the whipping cream. Beat until smooth and spreadable, adding additional 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup if necessary for desired consistency. If frosting is too thick, beat in more maple syrup, a few drops at a time.
• In small food processor, place walnuts and 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup. Cover; process until mixture forms a smooth paste. Stir in 1/3 cup of the frosting until well combined.
• On serving plate, place 1 cake layer top side down. Fill cake with walnut filling. Top with second layer top side up. Frost cake with frosting. Use a teaspoon to make S-shaped swirls on sides and top of cake. Top with chocolate leaves, chopped walnuts and a drizzle of maple syrup.

MAPLE WALNUT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 3 greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease parchment., Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in maple flavoring. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating after each addition., Transfer to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 11-13 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely., For candied walnuts, in a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat; saute walnuts until toasted, about 5 minutes. Stir in maple syrup and salt; cook and stir 1 minute. Spread onto foil; cool completely., For frosting, beat butter until creamy. Beat in maple flavoring and salt. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and enough cream to reach desired consistency., Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 1 cup frosting. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup candied walnuts and drizzle with 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Repeat layers., Top with remaining layer. Frost top and sides of cake. Top with remaining walnuts and syrup.