Pecan Pie Snack Cake with Maple Buttercream

This delightful spice cake, adorned with maple buttercream and a rich pecan pie topping, is a treat that promises to be a crowd-pleaser for any occasion, especially on Thanksgiving.

Ingredients:

For the Spice Cake: Dry Ingredients:

• 177 grams (1 1/3 cups) all-purpose flour
• 5 grams (1 tsp) baking powder
• 2.5 grams (1/2 tsp) baking soda
• 3 grams (1 tsp) ground cinnamon
• 1 gram (1/2 tsp) ground nutmeg
• 1 gram (1/4 tsp) ground ginger

Wet Ingredients:

• 100 grams (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
• 67 grams (1/3 cup) brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 60 ml (1/4 cup) vegetable oil
• 79 ml (1/3 cup) applesauce
• 120 ml (1/2 cup) buttermilk, at room temperature
• 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract

For the Pecan Pie Topping:

• 85 grams (6 tbsp) unsalted butter
• 100 grams (1/2 cup) light brown sugar
• 60 ml (1/4 cup) honey
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) heavy cream
• 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
• 125 grams (1 cup) chopped pecans

For the Frosting:

• 226 grams (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 438 grams (3 1/2 cups) powdered sugar
• 79 ml (1/3 cup) maple syrup

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Whisk together all the dry ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside. In another bowl, mix all the wet ingredients.
2. Gradually combine the wet ingredients with the dry, mixing until just combined. Pour the batter into an 8×8-inch baking dish lined with greased parchment paper.
3. Bake for 36-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
4. For the pecan pie topping, melt butter in a saucepan, then stir in brown sugar, honey, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Cook for a few minutes over medium heat before adding the pecans. Let the mixture cool slightly.
5. To make the frosting, beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and maple syrup until smooth.
6. Frost the cooled cake with a layer of maple buttercream, then top with the pecan pie mixture.
7. Slice the cake and serve, offering a scrumptious blend of spices, sweet frosting, and nutty topping that’s sure to delight any palate.

This Pecan Pie Snack Cake is a festive and flavorful dessert that’s incredibly easy to make, and even easier to love. Enjoy each bite of this cozy, comforting treat!