Apple Cake Squares with Maple Frosting

Apple Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2/3 cup buttermilk

2 cups peeled and chopped (1/3" pieces) Granny Smith apples (about 2 apples)

1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Cream Cheese Maple Frosting

6 ounces cream cheese, softened

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon maple flavoring

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

pinch of salt

1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted

1. Make cake: Position rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom and sides of a 9" square baking pan. Dust pan with flour.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, spices, baking soda and salt; set aside.

3. In bowl of electric mixer, using paddle attachment, beat butter at medium speed until creamy, about 1 minutes. Gradually add sugar and beat at medium-high speed until well blended and light, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla extract, then add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with buttermilk in 2 additions and mixing just until blended. Remove bowl from mixer stand and stir in chopped apples and walnuts.

4. Scrape batter into prepared pan and smooth top. Bake cake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden and a cake tester inserted into center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

5. Make frosting: In bowl of electric mixer, using paddle attachment, beat together cream cheese and butter at medium speed until smooth. Add vanilla extract, maple flavoring, spices and salt. Reduce speed to low, add confectioners' sugar and beat until well blended. Raise speed to high and beat until light and creamy, about 2 minutes.

6. Assemble cake: Frost top of cooled cake with frosting. Cut into squares and serve directly from pan.

Recipe Source: http://pastrychefbaking.blogspot.com/2010/02/apple-cake-with-maple-frosting.html