Use a hand or standing electric mixer to mix softened butter & maple syrup together

Add in vanilla

Then add in dry ingredients

Fold in most of the chocolate gems (I used Lily's chocolate gems here as they come in pastel colors). Other great dye free brands are Unreal, Lakanto, and yum earth!

Press into 8 or 9" springform pan (or cake pan) that's well greased with non stick spray

Press more chocolate gems on top

Bake at 350 for 16-17 min

If using a springform pan, allow to cool for 20 min then remove the edge and set on a cooling rack

If using a cake pan wait until chocolates on top are completely cooled, use a butter knife to loosen edges, and flip over onto a plate (if you try to do this before the chocolates are cooled then may smear)

Allow to cool completely before slicing

If icing, pipe onto cake and place in the fridge for 15min for icing to firm and clean slicing

Enjoy!!