Adapted from Southern Living

Ingredients

Filling – Chill at least 4 hours

• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 1 ½ cup real maple syrup reduced to 1 cup (or 1 cup dark corn syrup)
• 6 egg yolks
• 2 1/4 cups half-and-half
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1/3 teaspoon salt
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1 1/2  teaspoon vanilla extract

Cake

• 4 cups finely chopped pecans, toasted
• 1  cup room temperature butter
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 5 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 c. milk mixed with 1 T. vinegar)
• 1 1/2 cup real maple syrup reduced to 1 cup (or 1 cup dark corn syrup)
• Optional 1 cup of fresh or frozen cranberries

Sugared Cranberries

• 3/4 cup sugar
• ½ cup water
• 1 1/2  cranberries

Instructions

To begin:  Toast the pecans in a single layer on a cookie sheet  in a 350 degree oven for approximately 5 minutes until lightly toasted and fragrant.  If using real maple syrup, which will give a more delicate flavor, place the 3 cups into a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until it is thickened and reduced to 2 cups.  Dark corn syrup is more traditional and equally delicious if that’s what you have.

Filling

Whisk together all ingredients except the butter and vanilla in a 3 quart saucepan until smooth and all lumps are gone. Continue whisking constantly over medium heat until it comes to a boil and continue boiling for 1 minute until it is thick.  Remove from the heat and add the butter and vanilla.  Pour into a heatproof bowl and place plastic wrap on the surface and refrigerate for at least 4 hours but overnight is better.  If you prefer you can quick chill by whisking it over a bowl filed with ice until thick enough to spread.

Cake

Generously butter two 9 inch square or three 8 inch round cake pans. Divide 3 cups pecans evenly into buttered pans; shake to coat bottoms and sides of pans.

Beat the butter until smooth and gradually add the sugar beating until fluffy. Add the eggs yolks one at a time and beat until very light and fluffy. Add the vanilla.

In a separate bowl whisk together the flour and baking soda. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk starting and ending with flour. Add the remaining 1 cup of pecans and cranberries if used.

Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes. Invert layers onto wire racks with wax or parchment paper underneath. Brush the tops and sides of each layer with maple syrup or corn syrup, allow to cool completely.

Assembling Cake: 

For three 8 inch layers place one cake layer, pecan side up, on your cake stand; spread half of the filling on top. Place second cake layer, pecan side up, on top of filling; spread with remaining filling. Top with remaining cake layer, pecan side up.

For two 9 inch layers cut each layer in half.  Place the bottom half of the first layer on the cake plate, top with 1/3 of the filling on top.  Place second half of the cake pecan side up on top of the filling; repeat with the remaining layers.

Sugared Cranberries

If you desire, decorate with sugared cranberries. 

To make the sugared cranberries make a simple syrup by heating ½ cup each of sugar and water in a small saucepan to a boil.  Add 1 ½ cups cranberries and bring back to a boil then lower the heat and simmer for 2 minutes.  Saving the syrup, strain out and place the cranberries in a single layer on a cookie sheet and allow to dry for 30 minutes.  Save the simple syrup for use in tea or other beverages.  Finally roll the cranberries in an additional ¼ cup of sugar.  Can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for two to three days.  If the sugar coating melts it can be coated again with fresh sugar.