Grandma's White Cake with Maple Syrup Frosting

Every Monday and Wednesday, we'll announce a new Wildcard winner: a recipe that may not have been entered in (or won) a contest, but a recipe that we've tested and loved.

Today: Your new favorite autumn dessert. 

WHO: Jvcooks is our beloved Test Kitchen Manager -- and a true kitchen ninja.

WHAT: An autumn-ready cake that's sweet and gooey in all the right places.

HOW: Cream your sugar and shortening, add your wet ingredients, fold in the dry ingredients, and bake. Top with your maple-y, marshmallow-like frosting. 

WHY WE LOVE IT: While we were baking this, we realized that it really does feel like a grandma's cake; it is at once comforting and elegant, homey and special. Plus, we love how the icing is sweetened with maple syrup instead of traditional sugar, making it perfect for an autumn dinner party (or Thanksgiving!).

Grandma's White Cake with Maple Syrup Frosting by jvcooks

Makes one 9x13-inch cake

Cake

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cups whole milk
2 cups flour

Maple Syrup Frosting

1 cup maple syrup
2 eggs, whites only
1 pinch salt 

See the full recipe (and save and print it) here.

Photo by James Ransom