Nutty Greek Walnut Cake with Orange Blossom Glaze

Name: Nutty Greek Walnut Cake with Orange Blossom Glaze
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 10
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: 2 cups walnuts; 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup sugar; 5 large eggs; ½ cup milk; ½ cup unsalted butter; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground cloves; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 cup powdered sugar; 3 tablespoons orange blossom water; 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice; Zest of 1 orange; Orange zest strips; Crushed walnuts

A Traditional Greek Dessert with a Zesty Twist

This delightful Greek walnut cake, also known as Karidopita, is enriched with the aromatic flavors of cinnamon and cloves, finished off with a refreshing orange blossom glaze.

1 h 30 min
10
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Cake

2 cups walnuts

finely ground

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

5 large eggs

separated

½ cup milk

½ cup unsalted butter

melted

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ teaspoon salt

For the Orange Blossom Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar

3 tablespoons orange blossom water

1 tablespoon fresh orange juice

Zest of 1 orange

For Garnishing

Orange zest strips

Crushed walnuts

Preparation

Preparing the Cake Batter

Preheat and Prepare Pan

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan.

Combine Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the ground walnuts, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.

Beat Egg Yolks Mixture

In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks and sugar until thick and pale. Gradually stir in the melted butter and milk.

Folding and Baking the Cake

Fold Dry into Wet

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until well combined.

Fold Egg Whites

In another bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form and fold them into the batter.

Ensure the egg whites are gently folded in to maintain the cake's airy texture.

Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake in preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let the cake cool completely before glazing to allow flavors to meld.

Cooking Process

Bake the Cake

Bake in preheated oven for about 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Make the Glaze

Mix powdered sugar, orange blossom water, orange juice, and orange zest until smooth.

Apply the Glaze

Once the cake is cool, pour the glaze evenly over the top.

Plating & Serving