Instructions for Baking Maple Pecan Bliss Cake

1. Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Dusting with flour after greasing ensures the cakes release easily once baked. Alternatively, you can use baking spray with flour already included for convenience. Set the prepared pans aside.
2. Toast the Pecans: Spread the chopped pecans for both the cake and frosting (2 cups total) in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast them in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly golden brown. Keep a close eye on them as pecans can burn quickly. Toasting pecans enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch. Once toasted, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely. Reserve 1 ½ cups for the cake batter and ½ cup for the frosting garnish.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Whisking ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed, which is crucial for consistent cake texture and rise. Make sure to break up any clumps of brown sugar for a smooth mixture.
4. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the wet ingredients are well combined and emulsified. This will create a smooth base for the cake batter.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed with an electric mixer or by hand with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter at this stage. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cake. Mix until the dry ingredients are just incorporated into the wet ingredients, and the batter is smooth.
6. Fold in Pecans: Gently fold in the 1 ½ cups of toasted and cooled chopped pecans into the cake batter. Folding ensures that the pecans are evenly distributed throughout the batter without deflating it. Use a spatula and gently turn the batter over and over until the pecans are incorporated.
7. Divide Batter and Bake: Divide the cake batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Use a kitchen scale for perfectly even layers, or eyeball it as best you can. Spread the batter evenly in each pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so start checking for doneness around the 30-minute mark.
8. Cool Cakes Completely: Once baked, remove the cake pans from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10-15 minutes. This allows the cakes to set slightly and makes them easier to remove from the pans. After 10-15 minutes, invert the cakes onto wire racks to cool completely. Ensure the cakes are completely cool before frosting, as frosting warm cakes will cause it to melt and slide off.

Instructions for Making Maple Pecan Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Beat Cream Cheese and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter together until smooth and creamy. Ensure both the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for easy blending and a lump-free frosting. Beat until light and fluffy.
2. Gradually Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until incorporated after each addition. Mixing on low speed prevents the powdered sugar from puffing up and creating a dusty mess. Once all the powdered sugar is added, increase the mixer speed to medium and beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
3. Add Maple Syrup and Vanilla: Add the maple syrup and vanilla extract to the frosting. Beat on medium speed until the frosting is well combined, smooth, and creamy. Taste and adjust the sweetness or maple flavor if desired, by adding a bit more powdered sugar or maple syrup respectively.
4. Frost the Cake: Once the cakes are completely cool, place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous layer of maple pecan cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Gently place the second cake layer on top of the frosting. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
5. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the reserved ½ cup of toasted chopped pecans over the top of the frosted cake for garnish. You can also press some pecans gently into the sides of the cake for a more decorative look. Slice and serve your delicious Maple Pecan Bliss Cake!