Best Walnut Topping Recipes

SOUR-CREAM COFFEE CAKE WITH CINNAMON-WALNUT TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 9-inch nonstick tube pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream and baking soda.
• With an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture in three additions alternately with sour-cream mixture in two, beginning and ending with flour. Mix just until moistened.
• Spread a third of batter in pan; sprinkle with a third of topping. Repeat twice, ending with topping. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs, 60 to 70 minutes.
• Cool in pan 30 minutes. Turn out of pan; cool, top side up, on a rack.

APPLE-RASPBERRY CRUMBLE WITH OAT-WALNUT TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart shallow baking dish or eight 6-ounce ramekins.
• Make the topping: Whisk the oats, flour, brown sugar and salt in a bowl. Stir in the walnuts. Work in the butter with your fingers until evenly moistened.
• Make the filling: Peel the apples and cut into 3/4-inch chunks. Toss with the raspberries, granulated sugar, flour, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl.
• Transfer the filling to the prepared dish or ramekins and dot with 2 tablespoons butter. Squeeze handfuls of the crumble mixture and scatter on top of the fruit. Bake until golden and bubbly, 40 to 45 minutes.
• Let sit 10 minutes before serving. Top with whipped cream or ice cream, if desired.

CRANBERRY AND CORNMEAL CAKE WITH CARAMEL-WALNUT TOPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and orange zest. Measure 3 tablespoons of the flour mixture into a small bowl. Add the chopped cranberries and toss until coated. Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the egg yolks and whole eggs, 1 at a time. Gradually add the flour mixture and mix until just incorporated. Using a spatula, gently fold in the cranberries.
• Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Bake until the cake is golden brown, and a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut the cake into wedges, arrange on a serving platter and serve with the Caramel Walnut Sauce. (The cake can be made 1 day ahead. Store airtight in a plastic container.)
• In a medium saucepan, mix together the cream, brown sugar, and butter over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat and simmer until the mixture thickens, about 25 to 30 minutes. Stir in the walnuts and sea salt, if using. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature before serving.

CINNAMON-WALNUT TOPPING FOR SOUR-CREAM COFFEE CAKE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together 3/4 cup chopped walnuts, 3/4 cup sugar, and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon.

PEAR SPICE BUNDT CAKE WITH WALNUT PRALINE TOPPING

Steps:

• Cake:.
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F Butter and flour bundt pan.
• Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a bowl.
• Beat together butter, sugar, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg in another bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes in a standing mixer or 4 with a handheld. Add yolks 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in vanilla.
• Reduce speed to low, then add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately in batches, mixing well after each addition.
• Fold in pear pieces and chopped walnuts.
• Beat egg whites in another bowl with cleaned beaters until they just hold stiff peaks, then fold whites into batter gently but thoroughly.
• Spoon batter into pan, smoothing top, and bake until a wooden pick or skewer comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool cake in pan on a rack 10 minutes, then invert onto rack and cool completely.
• Walnut Praline Topping:.
• Stir golden brown sugar, whipping cream and 1/2 cup butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat until smooth. Boil 3 minutes, stirring often. Stir in walnut pieces. Spoon warm topping over warm cake. Serve warm or at room temperature.

PUMPKIN PIE WITH BROWN SUGAR-WALNUT TOPPING

Steps:

• For topping:
• Combine all ingredients. Using on/ off turns, blend to fine crumbs. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature.
• For crust:
• Position oven rack in bottom third of oven; preheat to 350°F. Transfer crust to 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish. Fold edges under and crimp decoratively. Freeze crust 20 minutes.
• Line crust with nonstick foil and fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake until crust is set, about 20 minutes. Gently remove foil and beans. Return crust to oven and bake until partially cooked and golden brown around edges, pressing down on crust with back of spoon if bubbles form, about 15 minutes. Cool crust on rack. Maintain oven temperature.
• For filling:
• Whisk brown sugar, eggs, sea salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in medium bowl. Add pumpkin and cream and whisk until well blended and smooth.
• Pour filling into crust. Bake pie until filling is firm, covering crust with foil collar if browning too quickly, about 30 minutes.
• Sprinkle topping evenly over top of pie. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F; continue to bake pie until filling is set and slightly puffed in center, about 15 minutes longer. Transfer pie to rack and cool completely. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Tent with foil and chill. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.

PUMPKIN PIE WITH TOFFEE-WALNUT TOPPING

Steps:

• For crust:
• Blend flour, sugar and salt in processor. Add butter and shortening and cut in using on/off turns until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 2 tablespoons ice water; process using on/off turns until small moist clumps form, adding more water by teaspoonfuls if dry. Gather dough into ball. Flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic; chill 30 minutes.
• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 375°F. Roll out dough on floured surface to 12-inch round. Transfer dough to 9-inch-diameter pie dish. Fold overhang under, forming high-standing rim. Crimp edges decoratively. Freeze 15 minutes. Brush crust all over with yolk. Bake until crust is set but still pale, about 15 minutes. Cool slightly.
• For filling:
• Whisk first 12 ingredients in large bowl. Pour into crust. Bake until filling is set, about 55 minutes. Transfer to rack. Sprinkle nuts and toffee around edge of hot pie, forming border. Cool pie completely. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)

RHUBARB AND APPLE PIE WITH WALNUT CRUMB TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 370 degrees F.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured work surface into an 11-inch round about 1/8-inch thick. Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie pan. Trim off any overhanging dough to make a 1/2-inch wide overhang around the edge of the pan. Flute the edges of the dough with your fingertips.
• In a large bowl, mix the rhubarb, apples, sugar, 1/2 cup of the brown sugar, the cornstarch, lemon juice, and brandy, and toss to coat the fruit evenly. Pour the mixture into the piecrust.
• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, walnuts, remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar, butter, cinnamon and nutmeg and mix well with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the filling.
• Bake until the top is golden brown and the juices are bubbling, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before serving.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Mix well. Add the shortening and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the water and let sit 1 minute. Using either a fork or your hands, carefully press the mixture together to form a soft ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough on the floured surface into a circle about 12-inches in diameter and 1/8-inch thick. Gently fold the circle of dough in half and then in half again so that you can lift it without tearing it, and unfold into a 9-inch by 2-inch deep-dish pie pan. Crimp the edges and place in the oven.
• Bake until golden, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely.

TRADITIONAL PUMPKIN PIE WITH A WALNUT-CRUNCH TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Toss the walnuts, brown sugar and maple syrup in a small mixing bowl.
• Combine the pumpkin, milk, sugar, eggs, spices and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Mix well.
• Transfer 3/4 cup of the walnut-sugar mixture to the bottom of the pie shell. Pour pumpkin batter over the walnut mixture.
• Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F; bake for an additional 40 to 50 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the pie's center comes out clean).
• Cool pie on a baker's wire rack. Meanwhile, add butter to the remaining walnut-sugar mixture; stir until moistened. Sprinkle over the cooled pie. Broil about 5-inches form heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until bubbly. Cool before serving.
• Provide your guests with their choice of sweetened whipped cream or French vanilla ice cream with a sprinkling of orange zest, and get ready for the applause!

PEAR AND APPLE COFFEE CAKE WITH WALNUT TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Wrap the bottom of a springform pan in aluminum foil and grease entire pan with coconut oil.
• Stir walnuts, 3 tablespoons honey, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
• Pour 2 tablespoons coconut flour in a bowl; cut 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir walnut mixture into butter mixture.
• Stir pears, apples, and lemon juice together in a bowl.
• Beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter, 1/4 cup honey, and eggs together in a bowl. Whisk coconut flour, coconut milk, arrowroot powder, vanilla extract, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt into egg mixture until a smooth batter.
• Pour 1/2 the batter into the springform pan. Spread pears and apples in a layer over the batter. Pour remaining 1/2 the batter over apples and pears; top with walnut mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before running a butter knife around the edge of the cake and loosening the springform. Cool for 1 hour.

MAPLE-WALNUT TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread 1/2 cup broken walnut pieces on a rimmed baking sheet; toast in oven until fragrant, about 10 minutes. Mix in a small bowl with 1/4 cup pure maple syrup.

WET WALNUT TOPPING

Steps:

• Combine the sugar, corn syrup and water in a large, heavy saucepan and place over medium heat.
• Stir until the sugar dissolves and the syrup is clear.
• Boil for 2 minutes without stirring.
• Add the walnuts, bring back to a boil, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool.
• Serve and store at room temperature.
• Stir well before using.
• Variations: Fall Walnut Topping: Add 1/4 cup raisins and 1/4 cup chopped dried figs along with the nuts.
• Process with the recipe as indicated.
• Walnut Whiskey Topping: Add 1/4 cup whiskey to the finished topping.

PEACH CRISP WITH OATMEAL-WALNUT TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Combine peaches, tapioca, almond extract, and 1/4 cup brown sugar in a bowl. Set mixture aside until tapioca pearls have softened, about 15 minutes. Whisk remaining 1/4 cup of brown sugar and flour in a separate bowl.
• Process rolled oats with walnuts in a food processor, pulsing a few times to grind to coarse crumbs; stir walnuts and oats into flour mixture. Drizzle topping mixture with melted butter and stir with a fork to create large crumbs of topping. Pour peaches and their juice into an 8x8-inch baking dish; spread crumb topping atop peaches in an even layer.
• Bake in the preheated oven until topping is golden brown and the peaches are bubbling, 35 to 40 minutes. Serve slightly warm.

APPLE PIE WITH WALNUT TOPPING

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the apples, cream, tapioca and lemon juice; let stand for 15 minutes., Meanwhile, roll out pastry to fit a 9-in. pie plate. Transfer pastry to pie plate. Trim pastry to 1/2 in. beyond edge of plate; flute edges., Combine the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; add to apple mixture and toss gently to coat. Spoon filling into pastry. Bake at 375° for 35 minutes., In a small bowl, combine the topping ingredients. Sprinkle over filling. Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until crust is golden brown and apples are tender. Cool on a wire rack.

STRAWBERRY RHUBARB CRISP WITH WALNUT CRUMB TOPPING

Steps:

• Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a medium bowl, combine rhubarb, strawberries, sugar and lemon zest. Transfer to a buttered 8-inch baking dish.
• For topping, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon and walnuts, pour in melted butter and toss to combine, tumble over fruit mixture. Bake until fruit is bubbling and topping is browned.
• Serve warm with softly whipped cream or vanilla creme anglaise.

BANANA-WALNUT PANCAKES WITH CARAMEL TOPPING

Steps:

• Heat skillet or griddle over medium-high heat or to 375°F. Grease with vegetable oil or shortening.
• In medium bowl, stir pancake mix and water with fork or wire whisk until smooth (batter will be thin). Stir in mashed banana and 2 tablespoons walnuts.
• For each pancake, pour slightly less than 1/4 cup batter into hot greased skillet. Cook until bubbles break on surface and edges just begin to dry. Turn; cook about 1 minute or until bottoms are golden brown.
• Serve pancakes topped with sliced banana, 2 teaspoons walnuts and the caramel topping.

CRANBERRY AND CORNMEAL CAKE WITH CARAMEL-WALNUT TOPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and orange zest. Measure 3 tablespoons of the flour mixture into a small bowl. Add the chopped cranberries and toss until coated. Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the egg yolks and whole eggs, 1 at a time. Gradually add the flour mixture and mix until just incorporated. Using a spatula, gently fold in the cranberries. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Bake until the cake is golden brown, and a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut the cake into wedges, arrange on a serving platter and serve with the Caramel Walnut Sauce. (The cake can be made 1 day ahead. Store airtight in a plastic container.) Note from Food Network Kitchens: Due to your comments we have retested and changed this recipe. It may not match exactly what the chef did on the show. Caramel-Walnut Sauce 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1 cup packed dark brown sugar 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, optional For the Caramel-Walnut Topping Sauce: In a medium saucepan, mix together the cream, brown sugar, and butter over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat and simmer until the mixture thickens, about 25 to 30 minutes. Stir in the walnuts and sea salt, if using. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature before serving. Yield: 2 cups Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 25 to 30 minutes

HONEY, WALNUT, AND DRIED-FRUIT TOPPING

Steps:

• Stir together nuts and fruit; transfer to a 6-ounce jar. Top with honey.

PEAR SPICE BUNDT CAKE WITH WALNUT PRALINE TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter and flour bundt pan.
• Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Beat together butter, sugar, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg in another bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until fluffy (about 3 minutes in a stand mixer). Add yolks 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low, then add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately in batches, mixing well after each addition. Fold in pear pieces and chopped walnuts.
• Beat egg whites in another bowl until they just hold stiff peaks, then fold whites into batter gently but thoroughly.
• Spoon batter into pan, smoothing top, and bake in preheated oven until a toothpick comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool cake in pan on a rack 10 minutes, then invert onto rack and cool completely.
• Stir golden brown sugar, whipping cream and 1/2 cup butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat until smooth. Boil 3 minutes, stirring often. Stir in walnut pieces. Spoon warm topping over cake. Serve warm or at room temperature.

PEAR SPICE CAKE WITH WALNUT PRALINE TOPPING

Steps:

• Make cake: Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour bundt pan. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Beat together butter, sugar, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg in another bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes in a standing mixer or 4 with a handheld. Add yolks 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low, then add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately in batches, mixing well after each addition. Fold in pear pieces and chopped walnuts. Beat egg whites in another bowl with cleaned beaters until they just hold stiff peaks, then fold whites into batter gently but thoroughly. Spoon batter into pan, smoothing top, and bake until a wooden pick or skewer comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool cake in pan on a rack 10 minutes, then invert onto rack and cool completely. Walnut Topping: Stir golden brown sugar, whipping cream and 1/2 cup butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat until smooth. Boil 3 minutes, stirring often. Stir in walnut pieces. Spoon warm topping over warm cake. Serve warm or at room temperature.