Mini Maple Cakes

This recipe comes from Martha,but I've changed it a bit.I decided to make mini cakes shaped like maple leaves(sticking with the maple theme) and topped with a cute maple cookie just for fun!These can be made as cupcakes too.Feel free to eat them plain,or with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.You can also decorate them with chopped walnuts or fall sprinkles.

Ingredients:
3-1/2 c. flour
4 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1-1/2 sticks of butter,softened
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 c. pure maple syrup
3/4 c. milk
1 c. chopped walnuts
    In the bowl of your mixer,blend together the butter and sugar.Add the eggs,the maple syrup,salt & baking powder. Add the flour and milk,alternating between the two,and mix just until the batter comes together.Spoon the batter into your pan(I am using a mini leaf pan,you can use 2- 8inch cake pans if you like).Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.Test for doneness.Remove from your oven and cool on a wire rack.

  Unmold the leaf cakes(or the larger cakes).Frost with the brown sugar frosting and decorate as desired.

Brown Sugar Frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese,softened
1-1/2 sticks of butter,softened
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 c. confectioners' sugar

   Blend all ingredients together in your mixer bowl.Spread on the mini maple cakes.