Maple Tree Cake Recipe

In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar. Add sour cream and maple flavoring. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to sour cream mixture and mix well. Fold in pecans. Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. For frosting, in a bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar. Add syrup; mix well. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate and peanut butter chips; stir until smooth. Transfer to a pastry or a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag; cut a small hole in the corner of bag. Pipe a tree and branches on top of the cake. Combine dried fruit; sprinkle around tree base and at ends of branches to resemble leaves. Yield: 12 servings.