Homemade Spice Cake with Maple Frosting and Maple Glazed Pecans – the perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert recipe! As easy as a box mix but tastes SO much better!
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The aroma alone of this cake is enough to put you in the holiday spirit. Cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and maple waft through the air as this cake bakes, and it makes a house smell like home during the holidays. What could be more comforting?
I had the pleasure of trying a variety of Sahale Snacks recently, and I am completely hooked on the Maple Pecans. Apples, cherries, walnuts, and pecans are glazed in a maple coating, and they are extremely difficult to resist. They also have Balsamic Almonds (my hubby loved these), and Pomegranate Pistaccios (also super tasty), and several other varieties.
I love finding snacks like this because not only are they delicious, but they are non GMO, gluten free, and contain no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. You can feel good about eating these and feeding them to your kids!
The Maple Pecans were hands down my favorite and the idea for this cake immediately popped into my head. Light, fluffy spice cake with creamy maple frosting, topped with crunchy maple pecans. Mmmmm, seriously scrumptious!
I am not a big pumpkin pie lover, so I am thinking this cake needs to happen for Thanksgiving! It has all the warm, cozy holiday spices, and it even looks festive! This would be a wonderful addition to any holiday table – or make it just because. Any time is a good time for cake! And don’t forget the Maple Pecans – the added crunch really makes this cake spectacular!
Homemade Spice Cake with Maple Frosting and Maple Glazed Pecans
Ingredients
Cake
- 3/4 cup oil I use avocado oil
- 3/4 cup applesauce
- 1 1/3 cup brown sugar packed
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1/2 tsp cloves
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
Frosting
- 1/2 cup salted butter softened
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp maple extract
- 3 cup powdered sugar
Topping
- 1/3 cup maple pecans glazed mix
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat oven to 350
- In a large mixing bowl, beat oil, applesauce, and sugar very well.
- Add eggs, one at a time, mixing between each addition.
- Add vanilla, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and spices and mix well.
- Add milk and mix. Add flour and mix until well incorporated.
- Pour into a greased 9x13" pan and bake 25 minutes or until tester comes out clean or with a few crumbs. Let cool completely.
Frosting
- In a mixing bowl, cream butter and maple syrup until light and fluffy.
- Add powdered sugar and maple extract and mix to combine, then mix on high for 3 minutes or until very light and creamy.
- If too stiff add a splash of milk and mix again.
- Spread over cake and sprinkle with maple pecans.
Originally published on Nov 2, 2016
Thanks to the JM Smucker Company for partnering with me and allowing me to share my recipe featuring Sahale Snacks! As always, all opinions and thoughts are 100% my own.
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
That snack mix sounds so incredible! And so does this cake!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That looks sooooo good and I love Sahale snacks!
Isabelle @ Crumb says
Looks amazing! The maple pecans look like the perfect finishing touch.
Cathy Trochelman says
YUM! I love spice cake but actually never make it! Thanks for the delicious reminder & recipe!!
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says
Maple and spice are often overlooked in all of the pumpkin spice madness of fall. This cake looks so warm and inviting!
christine says
I love love love spice cake! These nuts look like they take it to a new level of yumminess!
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox says
This looks absolutely fabulous….I’d be in danger of polishing off the whole thing in one sitting.
Brandy | Nutmeg Nanny says
Loving those maple pecans on top! Delicious!
Erin @ The Speckled Palate says
I do love a cake that makes the entire house smell like the season! We obviously need to try this since it calls for some of my favorite things. 🙂
Dee says
I love pumpkin, but I’m not a huge fan of pumpkin pie either. This sounds like a perfect Thanksgiving dessert!
Sabrina says
My grandmother-in-law used to make a cake just like this! I can’t wait to try it!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
I love Sahale and this cake is the perfect use for those nuts!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
I’m not a huge pumpkin pie person either but this cake I could not resist!
The Food Hunter says
I love the maple pecans in this
Lauren Kelly Nutrition says
I don’t know what I like better the cake, the frosting or this maple pecans!
Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie says
I could eat a whole bag of those maple nuts! I bet they add a really great crunch to this spice cake!
Alyssa | EverydayMaven says
I am a sucker for maple frosting!
Kelly Lynn's Sweets and Treats says
Mmmmm…..spice cake and maple frosting! Perfect for the holidays!