Karithopita (Greek Walnut Cake)

Submitted by evelynathens

"This is my mom's specialty and she makes it for all holidays. It is a rich, dark, spicy cake that has been soaked in a syrup and is best served with a dollop of whipped cream."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 25mins
• Ingredients: 19
• Serves: 12-15

ingredients

• 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

• Syrup

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1⁄4 cup cognac
• 1⁄3 cup orange juice
• cinnamon stick

• Garnish

• freshly whipped cream

directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F; butter and flour a 13 x 9 baking pan.
2. In a bowl combine the walnuts, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, breadcrumbs, flour, and baking powder.
3. In a small glass, dilute the soda with the cognac.
4. Beat the egg whites in a bowl until stiff peaks form.
5. 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.
6. 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).
7. 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.

Reviews

[Samantha in Ut]

Completely amazing! I love the texture and that it wasn't very sweet. My favorite is the syrup. It is soooo good. I love that these are ingredients I regularly have in my kitchen. Another winner thanks! Made for Zwt 4

 

[Vasiliki]

This recipe was great!! I made karithopita for the first time using this recipe and it was a hit. Thanks!

 

[FuffyPug]

HI EVELYN! Just have to say that this is my favorite Greek dessert - I really thought that I had given it a rating before. Your recipes are so fabulous (ALL OF THEM, EVERYBODY - YOU CANT GO WRONG WITH EVELYNS RECIPES). Your recipe is the best I have ever had - and I've eaten alot of Greek walnut cake in my time! By any chance, would you have a recipe for Dipples? I know that they would be delicious coming from you. Wendy

 

[Derf2440]

Oh wow!! this is a wonderful cake, a special cake for a special occasion. I didn't have Cognac in so I used Scotch, worked beautifully! Also used splenda instead of sugar, other than that followed the recipe as written. Topped it off with vanilla iceream which had bits of white chocolate in it. Yummy what a great dessert!! Thank your Mom for sharing a really special cake!!