Moist Maple Walnut Layer Cake Recipe with Easy Cream Cheese Frosting
A tender, flavorful maple walnut layer cake with a tangy and smooth cream cheese frosting. This moist cake features bold maple syrup flavor and crunchy toasted walnuts, perfect for gatherings or cozy treats.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¼ cups (250 g) packed brown sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup (120 ml) pure maple syrup
- ¾ cup (180 ml) whole milk, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (120 g) chopped walnuts, toasted
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
- Toast walnuts on a baking sheet in the oven for about 8 minutes until fragrant. Cool and chop roughly.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Using an electric mixer, beat softened butter and brown sugar on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add maple syrup and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- Reduce mixer speed to low. Alternately add flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
- Gently fold in toasted walnuts with a spatula.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops. Bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Rotate pans halfway through baking.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto cooling racks. Remove parchment and cool completely (about 1 hour).
- Beat cream cheese and butter together on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Gradually add powdered sugar on low speed to avoid sugar cloud. Add maple syrup and vanilla extract, then beat on medium-high for 1-2 minutes until fluffy.
- Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread one-third of frosting evenly on top. Place second layer on top and frost top and sides with remaining frosting. Use offset spatula for soft swirls.
- Refrigerate cake for at least 30 minutes to set frosting and meld flavors before serving.
Notes
Toast walnuts carefully to avoid burning and enhance flavor. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy for moist texture. Alternate adding dry and wet ingredients to avoid dense cake. Soften cream cheese fully before making frosting to prevent lumps. Chill frosting if too soft to spread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cak
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Protein: 4
Keywords: maple walnut cake, cream cheese frosting, layer cake, moist cake, easy cake recipe, walnut dessert, maple syrup dessert