This traditional mouthwatering walnut cake is so fluffy and extra syrupy, scented with cinnamon and clove aromas! Try it out and be amazed by the unique texture and rich flavor. Serve with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of melted chocolate and go over the top!
Serves: 1 medium baking pan Preparation: 25′ Cooks in: 50′ Ready in: 1:15′
Ingredients
12 eggs, whites and yolks separated
12 tbsp sugar
12 tbsp powdered Melba toast or bredcrumbs
12 tbsp chopped walnuts
12 tbsp semolina flour
4 tbsp brandy
2 oranges, zested
20gr baking powder
1 tsp powdered cinnamon
1/2 tsp grounded clove
a pinch grounded allspice
For the syrup:
4 cups sugar
4 cups water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 lemon juiced
1/4 cup cognac
Method
Step 1
Preheat oven at 180C. Mix sugar and egg yolks using an electric mixer and at medium-high speed for at least 5 minutes, until really fluffy, smooth and creamy. Pour in the cognac whilst continue mixing. Set aside.
Step 2
Meanwhile, in a bowl blend semolina flour with powdered Melba toast, chopped walnut, baking powder, orange zest and all spices with a spoon.
Step 3
Combine the two mixtures and blend with a silicone spatula, until smooth.
Step 4
Whisk egg whites into the bowl of the electric mixer, along with a pinch of salt until mixture is very thick and glossy and a long trailing peak forms when the whisk is lifted (meringue). Add gradually meringue into the mixture using a clean spatula and blend with light circular movements from the bottom up.
Step 5
Butter the bottom and the sides of a baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, until fluffy, nicely colored on the outside and baked through.
Step 6
Meanwhile prepare the syrup. Add all ingredients for the syrup except lemon juice and cognac into a pot for about 8 minutes until sugar dissolves. Add lemon juice and boil for another minute. Remove pot from heat and stir in cognac. Let cool.
Step 7
Very slowly ladle the hot syrup all over the cold cake, allowing time for each ladle of syrup to be absorbed. Let cool completely and serve ideally with some vanilla ice-cream.
Photo Anastasia Adamaki Food styling Antonia Kati
