Best Karithopita Olympic Walnut Cake Recipes

Karithopita (Greek Walnut Cake) image

Provided by evelynathens

Categories Dessert

Time 1h25m

Yield 12-15 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 19

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
5 eggs, separated
1 cup milk
2 cups chopped walnuts, toasted
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon clove
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1 1/2 cups dry breadcrumbs
1 1/2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup cognac
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1/4 cup cognac
1/3 cup orange juice
cinnamon stick
freshly whipped cream

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350°F; butter and flour a 13 x 9 baking pan.
In a bowl combine the walnuts, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, breadcrumbs, flour, and baking powder.
In a small glass, dilute the soda with the cognac.
Beat the egg whites in a bowl until stiff peaks form.
In a large bowl mixing bowl, cream the butter with the sugar and then add the eggs yolks; mix in the soda with the cognac, and add the milk and the walnut mixture, beating until well combined; fold in 1/4 of the beaten egg whites to lighten batter, then carefully fold in the rest; it is ok if a few white streaks show in the batter; spread into the prepared baking pan.
Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the cake tests done. Cool cake completely (it is very important that the cake is cooled before pouring on hot syrup because otherwise it will turn mushy).
For the syrup: Mix all the ingredients together in a medium saucepan; bring it to a boil and boil for 5-7 minutes; remove cinnamon stick and pour hot syrup over cooled cake; let the cake cool completely (from the addition of the hot syrup) before serving.

Karythopitta: Walnut Cake image

Provided by Cat Cora

Categories dessert

Time 1h56m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup superfine sugar
1/4 cup honey
3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon brandy
4 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
3 pieces orange rind, pith removed
2 1/2 cups walnuts, finely ground
1 cup flour, sifted
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch ground clove
4 ounces unsalted butter
1/4 cup of superfine sugar
4 eggs, separated

Steps:

For the syrup: Heat the sugar, honey, water, and brandy over medium-high heat until the sugar has dissolved. Turn heat to low and add in cloves, cinnamon stick, and orange rind. Simmer for 5 to 6 minutes and remove from the heat. Remove the orange, cloves and cinnamon stick and cool.
Preheat oven to 350 degree F.
For the Cake: In a medium bowl mix together walnuts, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and clove.
In a medium bowl, with an electric mixer, whip together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Slowly add in the egg yolks and continue whipping. Add in the walnut mixture slowly, and mix until well blended.
In a very clean bowl, with an electric mixer, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the batter until the mixture is completely incorporated.
Grease a 12 by 9-inch baking pan. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Place the pan in the oven and bake until the cake is golden brown, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and pour the syrup over the cake, until it is drenched in syrup. Cover with a kitchen towel and let cool. Cut into diamonds and serve.