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4.9 from 36 votes

Honey Walnut Cake

My Strasbourg-born grandmother would combine honey and walnuts in the fall to produce a cake similar to this one. It's delicate and moist and carries the scent of honey, orange peel, and walnuts. Serve it unadorned or with softly whipped cream.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 8 to 10 servings
Calories: 484 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups walnut pieces plus more walnut halves for garnish
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour plus more for the pan
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 12 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature, plus more for the pan
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter and flour a 9-inch cake pan.
  2. Spread the walnuts on a sheet pan and toast in the preheated oven for 6 minutes. Dump onto a plate to cool slightly. Rub the nuts in a towel to remove the loose skins.
  3. Grind the nuts in a food processor with 1/2 cup of the flour until very fine. In a medium bowl, combine the ground nuts, remaining flour, baking powder, and salt.
  4. In a standing mixer with a paddle attachment or with an electric hand mixer, beat the butter with the honey and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  5. In a small bowl, beat the eggs lightly with the orange zest and vanilla. Add it in thirds to the butter mixture. Beat well to incorporate after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the dry ingredients and mix until fully incorporated.
  6. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared cake pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. While the cake is baking, toast about 10 walnut halves on a sheet pan for 8 minutes. While they are still warm rub the nuts in a towel to remove the excess skin and place them in a small bowl. Add the 2 tablespoons of honey and stir until the walnuts are coated. Reserve the walnut halves at room temperature to garnish the cake when it is finished.
  8. Cool the cake in the pan for 5 minutes and then turn it out onto a cake rack to cool. Garnish the edge of the cake with the walnut halves before slicing it into wedges.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 484kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 44g (15%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 33g (51%) Saturated Fat 13g (65%) Monounsaturated Fat 7g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 115mg (38%) Sodium 104mg (4%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 29g (58%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8to 10 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 484

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 484kcal 24%
Carbohydrates 44g 15%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 33g 51%
Saturated Fat 13g 65%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 115mg 38%
Sodium 104mg 4%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 29g 58%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.