Karidopita - Greek Walnut Cake

By bakeaholic

Ingredients

• For the sugar syrup:
• 250 grams (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 6 egg yolks
• 6 egg whites
• a "shot" of cognac or brandy
• juice and zest of 1 orange
• 300 grams ground walnuts
• 2 cups store-bought bread crumbs
• 3 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 3 cups water
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• juice of half a lemon

Details

Servings 20
Preparation time 30mins
Cooking time 75mins

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 24 cm. round baking pan. Set aside.
2. Cream the sugar and butter together until it becomes nice and light.
3. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated into the batter.
4. Add cognac or brandy and the juice and zest. Mix well.
5. In a separate bowl combine the walnuts, breadcrumbs, cinnamon, cloves and baking powder. Slowly add these dry ingredients into the batter.
6. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form and gently fold this meringue into the batter.
7. Place the batter in the pan and bake for 40-45 minutes until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.
8. While the cake is baking, prepare the syrup. Add all the syrup ingredients in a small pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for another 10 minutes until syrup slightly thickens.
11. Remove cake from the oven and let cool slightly. Spoon the syrup over the cake. You probably won't use it all.
12. Cut the cake into diamond-shaped pieces.