Winter in Vermont means snowbound days good for baking. But you don't have to live in Vermont to enjoy this spicy, maple-flavored cake crowned with an icy cream cheese frosting sprinkled with chopped nuts.

Vermont Spice Cake

Cake:
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1/2 cup NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Maple Frosting:
11 ounces cream cheese (an (8-ounce) plus a (3-ounce) package), softened
1/3 cup butter, softened
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 teaspoons maple flavoring*
1/2 cup chopped nuts and nut halves, (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch-round cake pans.
2. For Cake: Combine flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in small bowl. Beat sugar and butter in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs; beat for 2 minutes. Beat in pumpkin, evaporated milk, water and vanilla extract. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared cake pans.
3. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 15 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
4. For Maple Frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar in large mixer bowl until fluffy. Add maple flavoring; mix well.
5. To Assemble: Cut each cake in half horizontally with long, serrated knife. Frost between layers and on top of cake, leaving sides unfrosted. Garnish with nuts, if desired.

Makes 12 servings.

Note: To make a 2-layer cake, frost between layers, over top and on sides of cake.

* 3 teaspoons maple flavoring are suggested for a stronger maple flavor.

Recipe and photograph are the property of Nestlé® and Meals.com, used with permission.