Karydopita (Greek Walnut Cake)

Name: Karydopita (Greek Walnut Cake)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 3 cups walnuts, finely chopped; 1 cup plain dry breadcrumbs; 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for cake); 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened; 6 large eggs, separated; 2 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for cake); 1/4 tsp ground cloves; 1/4 cup brandy or cognac; 2 tsp orange zest, finely grated; 1 1/2 cup water (for syrup); 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for syrup); 1 stick cinnamon stick (for syrup); 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (for syrup)

A deeply aromatic Greek walnut spice cake soaked in a fragrant cinnamon-orange syrup, giving each slice a moist, tender crumb with a sweet, lightly crunchy top. Naturally flour-free, it relies on breadcrumbs and ground walnuts for structure.

70 minMediumServes 12390 cal/serving

GreekDessertOvenVegetarianLow-SodiumPork-FreeNightshade-Free

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Ingredients

3 cups walnuts, finely chopped
1 cup plain dry breadcrumbs
1/2 cup granulated sugar (for cake)
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
6 large eggs, separated
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon (for cake)
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 cup brandy or cognac
2 tsp orange zest, finely grated
1 1/2 cup water (for syrup)
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for syrup)
1 stick cinnamon stick (for syrup)
1/4 cup fresh orange juice (for syrup)

Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking pan.
2

Make the syrup: combine 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for syrup), 1 1/2 cup water (for syrup), 1 stick cinnamon stick (for syrup), and 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (for syrup) in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stir until sugar dissolves, then simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely.
3

In a large bowl, beat 3/4 cup softened unsalted butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for cake) together with a hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add large eggs yolks one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in 1/4 cup brandy or cognac and 2 tsp finely grated orange zest.
4

In a separate bowl, stir together 3 cups finely chopped walnuts, 1 cup plain dry breadcrumbs, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for cake), and 1/4 tsp ground cloves. Fold the walnut mixture into the butter mixture until combined.
5

In a clean bowl, beat the large eggs whites to stiff peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the walnut batter in two additions until no white streaks remain.
6

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake at 350 F for 35-40 minutes, until the top is deep golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7

Remove from the oven. Immediately pour the cooled syrup evenly over the hot cake - ladle it on slowly so the cake absorbs all of it. Let the cake cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares and serving.

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Questions

How long does Karydopita (Greek Walnut Cake) take?

As written, 70 minutes: 30 of prep and 40 of cooking. The longest single stretch is step 6 (40 minutes): "Bake at 350 F for 35-40 minutes, until the top is deep golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean."

What oven temperature does Karydopita (Greek Walnut Cake) need?

For Karydopita (Greek Walnut Cake), the oven is set to 350 F (about 175 C) in step 1. The longest stretch at that heat is 40 minutes, in step 6.

How do I know when Karydopita (Greek Walnut Cake) is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 6: cook until the top is deep golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Why fold instead of stir in Karydopita (Greek Walnut Cake)?

Step 5 reads: "Gently fold the egg whites into the walnut batter in two additions until no white streaks remain." Folding keeps the air you just beat in. Stirring at step 5 would knock it out and the result would come out dense.

What equipment do I need for Karydopita (Greek Walnut Cake)?

Beyond a knife and a board, the method uses a hand mixer (step 3) and a 9x13 baking dish (step 1). If you do not have one, a whisk and a few minutes of effort replace the electric mixer.

Is there a substitute for baking powder in Karydopita (Greek Walnut Cake)?

The entry for Karydopita (Greek Walnut Cake) calls for 2 tsp baking powder. In its place: For each teaspoon, use a quarter teaspoon of baking soda plus half a teaspoon of cream of tartar.

Does Karydopita (Greek Walnut Cake) contain tree nuts?

Yes: 3 cups walnuts, finely chopped. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, dairy, eggs and tree nuts. Where the nuts are a garnish or a texture, toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds stand in. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

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