Karithopita Walnut Cake
Transport your taste buds to the heart of Greece with Karithopita, a lusciously spiced walnut cake that's soaked in a fragrant honey-cinnamon syrup. This traditional Greek dessert combines the earthy crunch of walnuts with warm spices like cinnamon and clove, creating a rich and aromatic flavor profile. Enhanced by the zest of fresh orange and a hint of vanilla, the moist and tender cake is baked to golden perfection before being infused with a silky syrup made from honey, lemon juice, and a touch of cinnamon. Perfect for celebrations or a cozy indulgence, this elegant treat pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or a dollop of whipped cream. Easy to prepare and irresistibly satisfying, Karithopita is a timeless dessert that transforms simple pantry staples into a decadent masterpiece.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 200 grams Walnuts
- 200 grams All-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons Baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoons Ground clove
- 200 grams Granulated sugar
- 125 grams Butter (softened)
- 4 large Eggs
- 120 milliliters Milk
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon Orange zest
- 300 milliliters Water
- 300 grams Granulated sugar (for syrup)
- 3 tablespoons Honey
- 1 piece Cinnamon stick
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
Finely chop the walnuts or pulse them in a food processor, ensuring they still retain some texture.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and ground clove. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar using a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
Add the eggs to the butter-sugar mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Mix in the vanilla extract, orange zest, and milk until combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Then fold in the chopped walnuts gently using a spatula.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
While the cake bakes, prepare the syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar (for syrup), honey, cinnamon stick, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and set the syrup aside to cool.
Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool slightly (about 10 minutes).
Using a skewer or toothpick, poke small holes all over the surface of the cake. Slowly pour the syrup evenly over the cake, letting it absorb completely.
Allow the cake to cool to room temperature before slicing and serving. Enjoy on its own or with a dollop of whipped cream!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5563 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 260.4 g | 334% | |
| Saturated Fat | 86.7 g | 434% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1033 mg | 344% | |
| Sodium | 2248 mg | 98% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 754.2 g | 274% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 23.0 g | 82% | |
| Total Sugars | 565.2 g | ||
| Protein | 82.7 g | 165% | |
| Vitamin D | 7.2 mcg | 36% | |
| Calcium | 615 mg | 47% | |
| Iron | 18.3 mg | 102% | |
| Potassium | 1637 mg | 35% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
