Gingerbread Torte

8-10 servings

Cake:


1¾ cups sifted, all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

¾ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ginger

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon cloves

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

½ cup soft butter

¼ cup granulated sugar

1 egg, slightly beaten

½ cup milk

2/3 cup light molasses

 

Filling:

2 cups heavy cream

¼ cup sifted powdered sugar

½ cup chopped walnuts

1½ teaspoon maple flavoring


 

Preheat oven to 375º. Grease & flour 9" square pan. Sift flour with baking powder, soda, salt & spices; set aside. In large bowl of electric mixer, at high speed, beat butter, sugar, & egg until light & fluffy. At low speed, add flour alternately with milk & molasses, beginning & ending with flour. Beat just until smooth.

Turn into Pan. Bake at 375º for 30-35 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes; turn onto rack.

Filling – whip cream & sugar until stiff. Remove 1 2/3 cup to small bowl & fold in walnuts & maple flavoring to what remains.

Split cake into 4 layers. Put layers together with cream nut mixture as filling between layers. Frost top & sides with plain whipped cream. Garnish with walnuts. Refrigerate 2 or more hours before serving.