Karidopita — Traditional Greek Walnut Cake
Description
A classic Greek cake made with chopped walnuts and warm spices, soaked in an aromatic cinnamon-lemon syrup. Rich, moist, and perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (100g) walnuts, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp baking powder
For the syrup
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240ml) water
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 cinnamon stick
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch (23 cm) pan.
- Beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy (3–4 minutes).
- Mix in melted butter, cinnamon and cloves.
- Whisk flour with baking powder, fold into batter with chopped walnuts until just combined.
- Pour batter into pan and bake 35–40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Make syrup: simmer sugar, water and cinnamon stick 4–5 minutes, add lemon juice and remove from heat.
- When cake is warm (not piping hot), pour hot syrup evenly over it so it soaks in. Cool completely.
- Sprinkle extra chopped walnuts on top, slice and serve.
