Sour Cream Maple Cake with Maple Buttercream Frosting

We have enjoyed this wonderful “snack” cake on a couple of occasions this fall. It is dangerously easy to make and was incredibly moist and very tasty. I forgot to drizzle the top with maple syrup on both occasions. Not necessary!

The recipe was adapted from Bake from Scratch magazine, via the Washington Post. The frosting is a little bit salty- which we liked- but the salt level can be adjusted to taste. We ate it chilled. Great.

Yield: One 9×9-inch cake, about 16 pieces

For the Cake:

• cooking spray or unsalted butter, softened, for greasing the pan
• 2 1/2 cups (344 grams) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the pan
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) pure maple syrup, preferably dark grade (I used grade A amber)
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) canola oil
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) whole milk, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature and lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (60 grams) sour cream, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Frosting:

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick/113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (200 grams) confectioners’ sugar
• 3 tablespoons sour cream, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, preferably dark grade, plus more for drizzling
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (to taste)

To Make the Cake:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, preferably on convection, with the rack in the middle.
2. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan. (I used cooking oil spray.) Line the pan with parchment paper, letting excess extend over the sides of the pan (the overhang will give you handles to lift the cake out after it’s baked). Lightly spray (or butter) the parchment.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
4. Add the maple syrup, oil, milk, eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, sour cream and vanilla, and stir with a rubber spatula just until combined and no streaks of flour remain. (There will be some lumps in the batter; this is okay.)
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Tap the pan on the counter eight times to release air bubbles.
6. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until deep golden and a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, covering with foil after 20 minutes to prevent excessive browning. (It may dip in the middle, don’t worry.)(I baked mine for 30 minutes but would add 2 to 3 minutes next time to decrease the amount of dipping.)
7. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Using the parchment overhang as handles, remove from the pan, and let cool completely on a wire rack.

To Make the Frosting:

1. In the same (cleaned-out) bowl you used to make the cake, beat the butter with a handheld mixer on medium speed until creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. (You can do this in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, if you prefer.)
2. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, beating until combined.
3. Add the sour cream, maple syrup and salt, and beat at medium-high speed until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Do not overbeat. (Add 1/4 tsp salt, taste and add the additional 1/4 tsp, to taste.)
4. Spread the frosting onto the cooled cake. Drizzle with additional maple syrup, if desired, and serve. (I preferred to serve it slightly chilled.)

About Josette@thebrookcook

I live in Stony Brook, New York on Long Island. I love garlic and baking. My hobby (and love) is to try new recipes. My favorite recipe resources include The New York Times, Food and Wine, Bon Appetit, and Martha Stewart Living. Enjoy!

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