Walnut Cake with Maple Syrup Frosting

The classic combination of walnuts and maple syrup come together in this delicious two-layer cake.

Serves: 12Hands-on: 30 minutesTotal: 1 hour 20 minutesDifficulty: Medium

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Serves: 12

Ingredients

  • 5 large egg whites, divided
  • 3⁄4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tsp. baking powder
  • 1⁄2 tsp. salt, divided
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 1⁄2 cup chopped walnuts, divided
  • 1 cup maple syrup
  • 1⁄4 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup walnut halves

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 2 round cake pans (8 inches) and set aside.
  • Beat 3 egg whites to stiff peaks in a small bowl. Set aside. Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl. Combine flour, baking powder, and 1⁄4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl and whisk to blend.
  • Alternately add flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture and blend until smooth. Stir in vanilla. Fold in beaten egg whites and 1 cup chopped walnuts.
  • Pour batter into prepared cake pans. Bake for about 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cake cool for about 25 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, heat maple syrup until a candy thermometer inserted in the liquid registers 245°F.
  • Place 2 egg whites in a large stainless steel bowl. Slowly add the hot maple syrup to egg whites, whisking or mixing with a beater the whole time. Add remaining 1⁄4 teaspoon salt and continue to beat until thick.
  • Place 1 cake layer on a serving platter. Spread a layer of frosting on the cake and top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides with the remaining frosting. Garnish the frosted cake with walnut halves and remaining 1⁄2 cup chopped walnuts.