This walnut cake recipe yields a moistand fluffy texture similar to a walnut sponge cake. Easily made in a sheet panthis walnut coffee cake can be enjoyed as it is or layered with frosting forfestive holidays. It’s simple, easy and similar to a Greek walnut cake called “karidopita”and can easily be transform into a gluten free walnut cake. And it's naturally dairy free!
Prepare a 9x13-inch pan or a 9-inch square pan. Grease the bottom with oil.Preheat oven to 300F (150C).
Prepare dry ingredients:
Grind the walnuts in a food processor using the pulse motion to get a flour like consistency. Do not overdo it as you can end up with walnut butter instead of flour.
Transfer the walnut flour into a bowl and to that add the flour, salt and baking soda, stir with a whisk to mix everything. Set aside.
Prepare the wet ingredients:
In another large bowl, crack the eggs (room temperature) and add the maple sugar.
Beat the eggs with an electric mixer until light and thickened, about 5 minutes.Add the oil and honey and give another final mix to combine.
Combine wet with dry ingredients:
Pour the walnut mixture over egg mixture.
Proceed with half, mix gently to combine with a spatula, then pour the other half, and continue mixing gently until everything looks homogeneous.
Bake the walnut cake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 55-60 minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven and let cool on a rack.
When completely cool, unmold the cake by running a thin-bladed knife around the edges to release it from the pan.
Cut into squares. Use a flat metal spatula to detach from the bottom.Serve.
Notes
Recipe Tips
Make sure that the flour lightly coats the ground nuts (they are heavier). It helps suspend the nuts in the batter so they don’t sink to the bottom. That’s why is important to mix all dry ingredients separate and add them at the right before baking.
Make a cinnamon flavored walnut cake – add 1 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp cardamom (optional) to the batter.
Coffee and walnut cake – add 2 tsp of instant coffee or espresso powder to the batter.
Chocolate walnut cake – as flour mix use 2 tbsp cacao powder + 2 tbsp flour. You could also melt some chocolate and drizzle on top of the walnut cake.
Banana walnut cake – replaced 3 of the eggs with 2 large mashed bananas (or 3 smaller).
Apple walnut cake – add one medium grated apple to the batter.
Carrot walnut cake – add 2 medium grated carrots to the batter.
Add dried fruits – chopped dates, raisins, cranberry. Soak them in warm water first.