Servings
Font
Back
4.8 from 30 votes

Karydopita - Greek Walnut Cake

"Karydopita" - A Greek walnut cake made with walnuts and enhanced with warm cinnamon and zesty orange.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 15 serves
Calories: 500 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

For the cake
  • 250 g butter unsalted, softened
  • 1 cup sugar caster or superfine
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon brandy
  • 1 orange juice and zest
  • 300 g walnuts ground - make sure they are not too fine-we want a few chunky pieces in there
  • 2 cups breadcrumbs or crushed dried rusks
  • 3 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves optional
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 6 egg whites
For the sugar syrup
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 cups sugar caster or superfine
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cream the sugar and butter in a mixer until it becomes nice and light. Add the egg yolks one at a time ensuring each one becomes fully incorporated into the batter.
  2. Add your cognac or brandy and the juice and zest and ensure this all mixes well.
  3. *In a separate bowl combine the walnuts, breadcrumbs the spices and baking powder. Slowly add this dry mixture to your batter ensuring it mixes well.*
  4. Beat your egg whites until stiff peaks form and gently fold this meringue into the batter
  5. Place the mixture into a pre oiled 24cm baking tin or tray and cook in a 180 deg C oven for 40-45 mins. Ensure the cake is cooked by using the old “skewer method”.
  6. Whilst the cake is cooking prepare your sugar syrup by boiling all the ingredients in a non reactive pot. Once the mixture comes to a boil, turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer for a further 10 mins until we have a nice thick syrup.
  7. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool down slightly. Pour the sugar syrup over the cake until it becomes fully absorbed.
  8. Cut the walnut cake into diamond shapes (anything will do really) and serve immediately with a nice strong espresso.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serve Calories 500kcal (25%) Carbohydrates 55g (18%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 29g (45%) Saturated Fat 11g (55%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 15serves

Amount Per Serving

Calories 500

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serve
Calories 500kcal 25%
Carbohydrates 55g 18%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 29g 45%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%

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