L.A. Times Greek Walnut Cake



I have always wanted to make a Greek walnut cake (also known as Karidopita). It is a traditional cake made from ground walnuts and soaked in a sweet syrup.

I've been putting it off out of sheer laziness, but I found this simple version in the L.A. Times Favorite Recipes and figured it was about time.

This makes a large pan size cake, and you can drizzle it with the sweet syrup if you like, or serve with plain Greek yogurt drizzled w/ honey.



This was delicious, and was great all week.

Greek Walnut Cake: (adapted from the L.A. Times)

2 cups sifted flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon allspice
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup ground walnuts
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon Champagne vinegar (I used cider vinegar)
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil



1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, allspice, cinnamon and ground walnuts.

3. Mix the eggs into the dry ingredients, 1 at a time, then whisk in the milk, vinegar and olive oil. Beat just until thoroughly combined.

4. Transfer the batter to a greased 13-by-9-inch pan (I lined mine w/ parchment paper).

5. Bake the cake on the center rack of the oven until puffed and golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes, it will rise and puff up.

6. Place the pan on a rack to cool 10 minutes before slicing on the diagonal into diamond shapes. Leave in the pan before drizzling with the syrup.

For the Syrup (optional):

1 cup of confectioner's sugar
juice of a lemon
1 cup of water

In a small saucepan, boil the syrup ingredients until sugar is dissolved.
While the cake is still warm, drizzle the syrup over the cake.

I kept my cake in the fridge and it got better each day. I liked it cold with a dollop of the honeyed Greek yogurt. Delicious and super moist.



Enjoy.


Comments

Ciao Chow Linda said…
I never had a Greek walnut cake so I thank you for introducing me to it. It has all the flavors I love, but I may skip the yogurt in favor of ice cream. Happy Memorial Day weekend.
Nisrine said…
Cakes made with nuts are the best tasting. This one looks moist and tempting.

Enjoy the long weekend!
Ginny Lee said…
totally making this, with the ground nuts I may be able to slip it past my 12 year old. Happy Memorial Day!
Oh my I would love this, I'm a nut a holic! Have a great weekend Stace.
StaceyEsq said…
Thank you for making my Sunday BBQ menu SO easy!!! What a fabulous dessert to serve tomorrow! Have a lovely weekend, Stace! Enjoy this wonderful weather!
Joanne said…
This sounds like a cake I could fall head over heels with!
SarahB said…
Love it! With the Greek yogurt? Sounds like heaven!
tasteofbeirut said…
This is a cake that I would love especially since I have a couple of pounds of walnuts in the freezer! It is similar to a Lebanese cake made with walnuts and semolina and syrup.
Christine said…
This sounds incredibly delicious!
LaDue & Crew said…
Wow, this sounds really fab! Love the idea of topping with the Greek yogurt, too. My fav ;)
Oui, Chef said…
Why have I never heard of a greek walnut cake before? Sometimes I feel so out of touch. Thanks, Stacey for clueing me into this fab treat, I can't wait to try it! - S