MAPLE WALNUT CAKE

serves 12

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour, cake
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup hot water

For praline:
1 cup maple syrup
1 cup walnuts, chopped
3 cups whipping cream
6 tablespoons confectioner's sugar
2 teaspoons maple extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a 9 or 10 inch round cake pan. In an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda in a bowl. Alternate adding dry ingredients, syrup and hot water to butter mixture, blending until smooth. Pour batter in pan.
Bake for about 30 minutes.
PRALINE:
Boil syrup in heavy saucepan to a temperature of 300 F. (hard crack stage). Add walnuts.
Stir and transfer to a greased baking sheet. Cool and process to a fine powder.
Whip cream with sugar, and maple extract. Slice cake in three layers. Spread cream and praline on each layer. Assemble cake.