Karythopita Walnut Spice Cake Recipes

KARYTHOPITTA: WALNUT CAKE

Steps:

• For the syrup: Heat the sugar, honey, water, and brandy over medium-high heat until the sugar has dissolved. Turn heat to low and add in cloves, cinnamon stick, and orange rind. Simmer for 5 to 6 minutes and remove from the heat. Remove the orange, cloves and cinnamon stick and cool.
• Preheat oven to 350 degree F.
• For the Cake: In a medium bowl mix together walnuts, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and clove.
• In a medium bowl, with an electric mixer, whip together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Slowly add in the egg yolks and continue whipping. Add in the walnut mixture slowly, and mix until well blended.
• In a very clean bowl, with an electric mixer, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the batter until the mixture is completely incorporated.
• Grease a 12 by 9-inch baking pan. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Place the pan in the oven and bake until the cake is golden brown, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and pour the syrup over the cake, until it is drenched in syrup. Cover with a kitchen towel and let cool. Cut into diamonds and serve.

KARITHOPITA (GREEK WALNUT CAKE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F; butter and flour a 13 x 9 baking pan.
• In a bowl combine the walnuts, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, breadcrumbs, flour, and baking powder.
• In a small glass, dilute the soda with the cognac.
• Beat the egg whites in a bowl until stiff peaks form.
• In a large bowl mixing bowl, cream the butter with the sugar and then add the eggs yolks; mix in the soda with the cognac, and add the milk and the walnut mixture, beating until well combined; fold in 1/4 of the beaten egg whites to lighten batter, then carefully fold in the rest; it is ok if a few white streaks show in the batter; spread into the prepared baking pan.
• Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the cake tests done. Cool cake completely (it is very important that the cake is cooled before pouring on hot syrup because otherwise it will turn mushy).
• For the syrup: Mix all the ingredients together in a medium saucepan; bring it to a boil and boil for 5-7 minutes; remove cinnamon stick and pour hot syrup over cooled cake; let the cake cool completely (from the addition of the hot syrup) before serving.

WALNUT SPICE CAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk; beat well. Stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. Combine milk and vinegar. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Fold in walnuts., In a small bowl with clean beaters, beat egg white on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually fold into batter. Transfer to two 6-in. baking pans coated with cooking spray and dusted with flour. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. , For frosting, in a small saucepan, combine flour and milk until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Cover; cool to room temperature., In a small bowl, cream butter and shortening. Gradually beat in sugar. Gradually add cooled milk mixture and beat for 4 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and salt; beat well. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake.

KARYTHOPITA (WALNUT SPICE CAKE)

Steps:

• Make the syrup: In a saucepan, add all syrup ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring well. Reduce heat and allow to boil gently for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Beat egg whites, salt, and water to the firm peak stage.
• Preheat oven to 340°F
• In a mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks, sugar, cinnamon, and ground cloves very well until creamy and smooth.
• In a separate bowl, mix the baking soda, baking powder, and flour, and stir in to the mixture.
• Add grated orange peel and juice, brandy, breadcrumbs, and walnuts.
• Finally, and carefully, fold in the beaten egg whites.
• Lightly grease a 13x9 inch baking pan (or equivalent) with butter, pour in the batter, and bake at 340F for 40 minutes.
• Cake is done when a knife inserted into the middle comes out dry.
• Spoon the cooled syrup evenly over the hot cake. Sprinkle with walnuts mixed with a little cinnamon. Allow to cool before serving.
• Make sure the syrup is completely cooled before adding to cake. If necessary, refrigerate for a few minutes.