Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare two 8-inch round cake pans by spraying them with cooking spray. Line the bottoms with parchment paper and spray the parchment as well. Lightly dust the pans with flour and set them aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices. Use an electric mixer on low speed to mix the dry ingredients until well combined.

Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix on low speed until everything is combined. Then, increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for 3 to 4 minutes until the batter is smooth. Note that the batter will be quite thick.

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops. Bake in the preheated oven for 34 to 38 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.

Once baked, allow the cakes to cool in the pans on wire racks for 20 minutes. After that, carefully invert the cakes onto the racks to cool completely.

For the frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl until smooth. Add the maple flavoring, salt, and 4 cups of powdered sugar, along with 1 tablespoon of milk. Mix on low speed to combine, then switch to medium speed and beat until the frosting is very smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed.

If the cake layers have domed, trim them to create a flat surface. Place one layer on a cake stand or a cardboard cake circle and spread about ¾ cup of frosting on top. Place the second layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting.

If you like, press chopped walnuts into the sides of the cake for garnish. Serve and enjoy!