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    Home » Recipes » Cakes

    Maple Spice Cakes with Maple Glaze|Acorn Cakelets

    Published: Dec 30, 2021 by Jere Cassidy · This post may contain affiliate links. · 18 Comments

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    Acorn cakelets on a wire rack.

    Welcome back fall, we have missed you. Colored leaves and cool air means it's time to bake these mini Maple Spice Cakes with Maple Glaze. These cakes are baked in an acorn cakelet pan for some extra cuteness that are full of delicious fall flavors.

    Maple cakes that look like acorns on a wire rack.
    Maple Acorn Cakelets

    This page may contain affiliate links, please see my disclosure for policy details.  I earn commissions if you shop through the links on this page.

    It's hard to let fall go by without making these sweet little cakes flavored with real maple syrup and our favorite spice mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground ginger. Serve these cakes with your favorite hot cuppa coffee, tea, or cider, they are always a hit at parties, but we enjoy them as a sweet snack.

    Jump to:
    • The pan
    • Ingredients
    • 🥄Let's bake
    • Cake questions?
    • Try more fall baking treats
    • More delicious recipes
    • Recipe
    • Pin now to make later

    The pan

    It's amazing what you can find on the discount shelf tucked behind Halloween candy. All I had to do was move several bags of Tootsie Rolls to find this Nordic Ware Acorn Pan, it was just way too cute to pass up, and it was half off. I just couldn't pass it up, could you?

    NordicWare Acorn cakelet pan.
    NordicWare Acorn Cakelet pan

    I love this pan because it's heavy-duty cast aluminum and the cakes come out perfectly.  Just make sure you prep it with cooking spray and you will end up with all the nice acorn details that even a squirrel would appreciate. The recipe for the spice cake comes with the pan for an extra bonus.

    Update - I am so sad that this acorn pan is not available anymore, but you can still make the acorns along with other fall designs with this Autumn Delight Cakelet Pan.

    Nordic Ware autumn cake pan
    Autumn Delight Cakelet Pan

    Ingredients

    Maple Cake ingredients
    Ingredients

    This recipe is the recipe that came with the pan with just a few little tweaks. I added more cinnamon and nutmeg, plus the addition of ground ginger because I love these warming spices.

    🥄Let's bake

    Step 1. Heat the oven and prepare the cake pan. Even though this is a nonstick pan I still spray cooking spray in each mold, then using a pastry brush I brush all over the mold to get in all the nooks and crannies.

    Spoon flour into each mold and shake the pan until the molds are covered in flour then turn the pan over to remove the excess flour.

    Take a paper towel and wipe the top of the pan to clean up any oil or flour that has spread over the top.

    Steps for preparing the pan with oil and flour.
    Preparing the pan

    Step 2. Prepare the batter ingredients. Place the softened butter and the brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer, or a large mixing bowl.

    To a small bowl add the flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger and mix this together.

    In another small bowl add the milk, maple syrup, and vanilla. Stir together.

    All the ingredients to make maple cakes in bowls and a measuring cup.
    Batter ingredients

    Step 3. With the mixer on medium speed mix the butter and sugar for a minute so it is nice and creamy.

    Step 4. Beat in the eggs one at a time at medium speed to combine.

    Step 5. Add half of the flour mixture and beat on medium speed to incorporate then add the liquid ingredients, beat again to incorporate, then add the remaining flour mixture.

    Step 6. Mix the batter for a minute until it is totally mixed and thick.

    Steps to mix the cake batter.
    Mixing the batter

    Step 7. Spoon one tablespoon of batter into the molds.

    Step 8. With the back of a spoon, spread the batter a little bit to get into the mold.

    This batter bakes up perfectly in this pan since it is dense so it makes it easy to get the cakes out of the pan, but, it is still nice and moist.

    Adding cake batter to the cake pan molds.
    Spoon in the batter

    Step 9. Bake the cakes at 350 degrees F. for 12 minutes. The cakes will puff up when baked and should pull away from the sides of the pan. Let the cakes cool slightly then insert a knife in the side of a move to remove the cakelets from the pan. They should pop out easily.

    Baked acorn cakelets in a pan.
    The puffy baked cakes

    Step 10. In a small bowl add the powdered sugar, maple syrup, and water, mix up the glaze until it's smooth.

    Step 11. With a pastry brush, brush the glaze over the entire top of the acorn cake.

    Step 12. Dip just the top of the cake into a bowl filled with raw sugar.

    Step 13. Set the cakes on the cooling rack to let the glaze dry.

    Making a glaze and brushing it on the acorn cakes.
    Brushing the cakes with glaze

    Step 14. Store the cakelets in an airtight container for up to three days. Or freeze unglazed cakes for up to three months.

    Bake a batch of these awesome little acorn cakes for a family gathering, fall party, Halloween party, or just because it's fun to eat these sweet and cute as-can-be acorns.

    Acorn cakes and tea.
    Cakes and tea

    Cake questions?

    What if I don't have a cakelet pan?

    Use a mini cupcake pan if you don't have a cakelet pan. Just spoon a heaping tablespoon of batter into the pan and bake for about 10. Let the cakes cool and drizzle with the glaze.

    What is a cakelet pan?

    These are pans with pretty designs that make mini cakes or cakelets.

    Try more fall baking treats

    • This recipe for Apple Cider Baked Apples makes a stunning dessert that is filled with cranberries and pecans. Serve with a sweet cider syrup for a delicious fall treat.
    • Baking this easy-to-make Orange Cranberry Bread filled with nutmeg and cardamom spices. This is a One Hot Oven reader favorite.
    • Everybody loves these colorful Autumn Leaf Sugar Cookies that are flavored with maple syrup. Bake a batch for your fall party or Halloween.
    • Pop a batch of popcorn and make this crunchy easy homemade Caramel Apple Popcorn for a party night, movie night, or for a snack.
    • If you love maple try this rustic Maple Apple Skillet Cake for a tasty fall dessert.
    • Maple Walnut Muffins have a delicious streusel topping and a cinnamon icing on top.
    • Browned Butter Blondies with toasted pecans are rich and chewy.

    More delicious recipes

    • A slice of choclate cake on a white plate
      Beer Cake
    • A slice banana cake roll with icing on top.
      Banana Roll
    • An orange poundcake on a clear glass cake stand,
      Easy Mandarin Orange Bundt Cake
    • Apple spice cupcakes with a foil cupcake liner.
      Apple Cupcakes (with Maple Buttercream)

    Like what you see? Make sure you are following One Hot Oven for more tasty, sweet, and savory recipes!

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    Recipe

    Acorn cakelets on a wire rack.

    Maple Spice Acorn Cakes

    Jere' Cassidy
    These Maple and Spice Acorn Mini Cakes are a perfect fall party treat or even a delicious snack to enjoy. Brushed with a maple glaze and decorated with sugar, these cakelets are filled with fall's favorite flavors of maple, and the aromatic spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
    4.73 from 18 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 12 mins
    Total Time 42 mins
    Course Cake
    Cuisine American
    Servings 36 cakes
    Calories 61 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 large mixing bowl
    • 1 Autumn Delight Caklet Pan the acorn cakelet pan can be found on Ebay and Poshmark
    • 1 Pastry Brush

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 â…“ cup AP flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
    • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
    • â…“ cup milk
    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • ¼ teaspoon maple extract optional
    • ½ cup butter softened
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • 2 eggs

    Glaze

    • ½ cup powdered sugar
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 1-2 tablespoons water
    • Turbinado sugar This is also called raw sugar.

    Instructions
     

    • Heat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Oil the pan or use cooking spray in each mold. Using a pastry brush, brush all around the molds to make sure they are covered. Then add flour to each mold and shake that around to cover. Tap the pan to loosen the flour that didn't stick and tap that flour out of the pan.
      I like to take a paper towel and go around the top of the pan to clean it of any excess oil and flour.

    For the cakes

    • Mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in a small bowl.
    • Combine the milk, maple syrup, vanilla, and maple extract in a small bowl.
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer, or a large mixing bowl beat the room temperature butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy.
    • Beat in the eggs one at a time at medium speed. Scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula.
    • At low speed, beat in half the flour mixture then add the milk mixture and beat on low speed to incorporate. Next, add the remaining flour mixture and beat on medium speed until thoroughly mixed. Scrape the sides of the bowl. The batter is done and should be nice and thick.
    • Spoon 1 tablespoon of the batter into each acorn well. I like to take the back of a small spoon and spread the batter out to make sure it will fill the molds when baked.
    • Bake at 350 degrees for 12 - 14 minutes.
    • Let cakes cool for 10 minutes in the pan then remove the cakelets to a cooling rack. They should easily pop out of the pan by sticking a small knife into the side of the mold to pop it out.
    • Make the next batch of cakes as directed above.

    Preparing the glaze

    • In a small bowl mix all the glaze ingredients using only 1 tablespoon of water and mix until smooth and has the consistency of heavy cream. If the glaze is too thick, add the extra water.

    Decorating the acorns

    • Place the raw sugar in a small bowl.
    • With a pastry brush, brush each acorn with the glaze and then dip the top of the acorn into the sugar. Set the acorn cakes on a sheet of wax paper to dry.

    Storage

    • Store the cakelets in a single layer in an airtight container for up to three days.
    • You can also freeze unglazed cakelets in a single layer in a freezer container for up to three months. Let thaw at room temperature then glaze and decorate as instructed.

    Notes

    This is the Nordic Ware acorn pan cakelet recipe with additional spices added.
    Note: The acorn pan is not available anymore and Nordic Ware has replaced it with an Autumn Delights pan.
    Every time I have baked these cakes I do get the holes at the top of the acorn as you can see in my pictures.  To help alleviate this, once the molds are filled gently lift up the pan and bang it on the counter to help release air bubbles in the batter.
    The recipe makes 2 cups of cake batter or  20 ounces. 
    If you don't have a cakelet pan you can make cupcakes with the batter and drizzle the glaze on top.
    For more maple recipes try these delicious recipes:
    Maple Walnut Muffins
    Maple Apple Skillet Cake
    Maple Leaf Sugar Cookies
    All images and text © Jere' Cassidy / One Hot Oven
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cakeletCalories: 61kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 107mgPotassium: 37mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 23IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Pin now to make later

    A Pinterest pin for Maple Spice Acorn Cakelets.

    First published: Nov 6, 2016. Last updated: Dec. 30, 2021, for better readability and updated step-by-step instructions.

    Thank you for stopping by the One Hot Oven blog.  Please leave a comment to say Hello or just let me know what you are baking these days, I always love hearing from fellow bakers. Have any questions or just want to chat about the recipe? Contact me here, and I’ll be happy to help!

    About Jere'

    From learning to cook on a farm in Indiana to culinary school in California, my passion for food is never-ending.  Turning on my oven to bake something for friends and family is my happy place, and I am glad to be here at One Hot Oven sharing both sweet and savory family-friendly recipes for your cooking and baking inspiration.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Mama Maggie's Kitchen

      January 01, 2022 at 8:57 pm

      5 stars
      This looks insanely, incredibly good. Sooo yummy!

      Reply
    2. nancy

      January 01, 2022 at 3:30 pm

      5 stars
      the cutest acorn cakes ever!

      Reply
    3. Jerika

      January 01, 2022 at 2:11 pm

      5 stars
      Wow! This Maple Spice Cakes with Maple Glaze looks awesome and nicely done (how creative).:) My kids will love these. Thanks and happy new year!:)

      Reply
    4. Rebecca Huff

      March 03, 2017 at 5:49 pm

      I must have this baking pan! I am mad about acorns!!

      Reply
      • OneHotOven

        March 04, 2017 at 4:52 pm

        I know, that's what I thought when I saw it.

        Reply
    5. Jen | A Sip of Bliss

      November 09, 2016 at 9:37 pm

      How adorable are these? And they sound delicious 🙂

      Reply
    6. Maria

      November 09, 2016 at 11:07 am

      Whoaaa I need this in my life! I have never seen that shaping form! Must also be delicious! 😀

      Reply
    7. Mummy Times Two

      November 09, 2016 at 7:58 am

      Wow, what gorgeous looking cakes, I do indeed want that pan!

      Reply
    8. Alysa Villelli

      November 08, 2016 at 11:42 pm

      Looks amazing!

      Reply
    9. patrick

      November 09, 2016 at 12:24 am

      5 stars
      awesome shape and great presentation! these sound delicious!

      Reply
    10. Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen

      November 08, 2016 at 10:51 pm

      These are super cute! Love the little acorn shapes and the maple spice sounds delicious.

      Reply
    11. Barbara

      November 08, 2016 at 10:43 pm

      5 stars
      These are adorable. I want that pan! 🙂

      Reply
    12. Lauren

      November 08, 2016 at 9:23 pm

      These are adorable! <3

      I'll have to try these if I can find one of those pans. We got a lot of Nordic stuff at one of the retail stores I used to work at, but I never saw those come through.

      Thanks for the great recipe. 🙂

      Reply
      • OneHotOven

        December 11, 2016 at 4:04 am

        It seems you can find these Nordic pans in alot of store these days.

        Reply
    13. Joleene

      November 08, 2016 at 9:12 pm

      These look beautiful! I love baking. And I love coming across recipes like this that are unique to me. Looking forward to creating this for Thanksgiving.

      Reply
    14. Happy Simple Living

      November 08, 2016 at 8:46 pm

      5 stars
      These acorn cakes are absolutely stunning, and the recipe sounds so good. I love the idea of using maple syrup in the glaze -- can't wait to try!

      Reply
    15. candy

      November 08, 2016 at 8:43 pm

      First off that acorn pan is adorable. The mix is easy enough and adding the maple glaze adds a special yumminess.

      Reply
      • OneHotOven

        December 11, 2016 at 4:04 am

        It is all about the yumminess!

        Reply

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    Jere Cassidy owner of One Hot Oven.

    Welcome, I am Jerè. I love sharing recipes both sweet and savory that inspire you to bake at home. Food has a way of bringing us all together, from a simple batch of cookies to a three-tier cake.

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