Description
Greek Walnut Cake, or Karydopita, is a rich and fragrant dessert that combines ground walnuts with warm spices like cinnamon and cloves. This traditional Greek dessert is soaked in a sweet, citrus-infused syrup that keeps the cake incredibly moist and flavorful. It’s perfect for any occasion—whether you’re celebrating a special event or just craving a comforting, nutty treat. The combination of walnut texture, aromatic spices, and syrupy sweetness makes this Greek Walnut Cake a showstopper that’s sure to impress family and friends. Plus, it’s easy to make, so you can enjoy this mouthwatering dessert without any hassle.
Ingredients
- 200g all-purpose flour
- 150g ground walnuts (Greek Walnut Cake essential)
- 10g baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 150g granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 120ml olive oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 120ml freshly squeezed orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 120ml water (for syrup)
- 150g honey (for syrup)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (for syrup)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, ground walnuts, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, olive oil, vanilla extract, orange juice, and orange zest until smooth.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- While the cake is baking, prepare the syrup. Combine water, honey, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and stir until the honey dissolves. Let it cool.
- Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes in the pan.
- Poke holes in the cake using a skewer and drizzle the warm syrup over the cake.
- Garnish with chopped walnuts and let the cake cool completely before serving.
Notes
For an extra burst of flavor, you can add a few teaspoons of orange zest into the syrup as well. If you prefer a more decadent version, try serving the Greek Walnut Cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. To store, keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 39g
- Sodium: 69mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 51mg
Keywords: Greek Walnut Cake, Karydopita, Greek dessert with walnuts, Walnut Cake recipe, syrup-soaked cake, traditional Greek cake, walnut cake