Karidopita (Greek Walnut Cake) is a moist, spiced nut cake with a hint of orange and a touch of almond. Lightly soaked with a warm maple-cinnamon syrup, each bite is rich, tender, and full of nutty flavor. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or festive gatherings, this cake brings a cozy Greek-inspired aroma to your table.
Ingredients
Cake:
6 large eggs
1 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
½ cup melted coconut oil or unsalted butter
1 tsp almond extract
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
Zest of 1 orange
Spiced Syrup:
1 cup water
¾ cup maple syrup
1 cinnamon stick
1 slice of fresh lemon
2 tbsp dark rum (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8-inch square baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in melted coconut oil and almond extract.
- In another bowl, combine walnuts, pecans, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cake to cool slightly.
Syrup
In a small saucepan, combine water, maple syrup, cinnamon stick, and lemon slice. Bring to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in rum if using.
Pour warm syrup evenly over the slightly cooled cake. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes.
Serving
Cut the cake into squares or rectangles. Serve as is, or garnish with a few extra chopped nuts for texture. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy afternoon treat.
