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5.0 from 6 votes

Cinnamon-Cardamom Cake with Maple Pecan Frosting

A spice cake full of cinnamon and cardamom flavor, made from a doctored yellow cake mix. The cake is accented with Maple Pecan Frosting, just to put things over the top. 

Cook Time
mins
Cooling Time
10 mins
Total Time
37 mins
Servings: 10 Servings
Calories: 407 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 oz box yellow cake mix
  • 1 .4-oz box vanilla pudding mix dry, don't make pudding!
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup oil
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 7 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1 recipe Maple Pecan Buttercream Frosting
  • 1/2 cup pecans toasted, finely chopped*
  • pecans whole toasted, for garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
  2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together all cake ingredients (cake mix through cardamom). Scrape down the sides and bottom with a rubber spatula. Beat for another 3 minutes.
  3. Pull out enough parchment paper so that both your cake pans fit on it. Fold the paper in half. Use a pencil to trace the bottom of one cake pan onto the paper. Then cut out the folded paper so you get 2 circles. Place the 2 circles in the cake pans. Spray the sides of the cake pans with nonstick spray.
  4. Divide the batter between the pans. Drop each pan onto your counter from a few inches up, so that some of the air bubbles pop.
  5. Bake the cakes at 300 degrees for about 27-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean, and the center springs back immediately when you touch it.
  6. Let cakes cool 10 minutes in the pan, then run a plastic knife around the edges and invert onto a cooling rack. Let cool completely.
  7. Wrap each cake in plastic wrap and place on a flat surface (I use a cutting board) in your freezer. Freeze overnight or at least 2-3 hours. This makes it so much easier to frost.
  8. Remove one cake from the freezer and place on a cake plate. Add strips of parchment paper to the edges of the cake (see photos).
  9. Spoon about one cup of frosting onto the top of the cake and spread to the edges.
  10. Take the other cake out of the freezer and place on top of the frosted first layer. Use a sharp serrated knife to trim the top of the cake to make sure it's even.
  11. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
  12. Carefully spoon a small amount of chopped pecans to the side of the cake, on top of the parchment paper. Gently press the pecans into the bottom of the cake on the bottom edge, all the way around the cake. (see photos)
  13. Remove parchment paper, pushing against the chopped pecans so that you don't pull the frosting off the cake.
  14. Garnish with whole pecans. Serve and enjoy! Start with small slices. This cake is pretty rich.

Notes

  • *If you are making this cake to go with the Maple Pecan Frosting, you will need 1 and 1/4 cups TOTAL finely chopped toasted pecans.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1slice Calories 407kcal (20%) Carbohydrates 49g (16%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 22g (34%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 5g Monounsaturated Fat 11g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 68mg (23%) Potassium 105mg (3%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 28g (56%) Vitamin A 231IU (5%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 149mg (15%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 407

% Daily Value*

Serving 1slice
Calories 407kcal 20%
Carbohydrates 49g 16%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 22g 34%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g 29%
Monounsaturated Fat 11g 55%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 68mg 23%
Potassium 105mg 2%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 28g 56%
Vitamin A 231IU 5%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 149mg 15%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.