Maple Bars with Maple Frosting

 Yummy!  I love almost anything maple.   

MAPLE BARs with MAPLE FROSTING

(serves 12)

Cake Ingredients:

*1/2 cup butter, softened

*1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed

*1 cup maple syrup 

*1 large egg, room temperature 

*2 teaspoons vanilla extract

*2 cups all-purpose flour

*1 teaspoon baking powder

*1/2 teaspoon baking soda

*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped

Frosting Ingredients:

*1/2 cup butter, softened

*1 (4 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

*4 tablespoons maple syrup 

*1/2 teaspoon maple flavoring (optional)

*3/4 cup powdered sugar

*1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped

Cake Directions:

~Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

~Spray a 8x8 inch baking dish with cooking spray. 

~In a large mixing bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened butter and 1/2 cup packed brown sugar together until well incorporated.

~Mix in 1cup maple syrup, 1 large egg, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until mixture is well combine and smooth.

~Add in 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon salt and mix until well combined.

~Stir in 1 cup chopped nuts.

~Pour into prepared pan and smooth out.

~Bake for 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

~Allow to cool completely before frosting.

Frosting Directions:

~In a medium mixing bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened butter and 1 (4 ounce) package softened cream cheese until well combined.

~Mix in 4 tablespoons maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon maple flavoring, and 3/4 cup powdered sugar until well combined.

~Stir in  1/2 cup nuts.

~Spread evenly over cake.