Description
This Greek Walnut Cake (Karidopita) is rich, moist, and packed with crunchy walnuts in every bite. Lightly spiced and soaked with honey syrup for an authentic Greek dessert experience that’s perfect with coffee or tea.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups (220 g) finely chopped walnuts
1 cup (240 ml) milk
For the Honey Syrup:
1½ cups (360 ml) water
1½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
1/4 cup (85 g) honey
1 cinnamon stick
1 strip lemon peel
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
5. Add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
6. Fold in the finely chopped walnuts until evenly distributed.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
8. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Meanwhile, combine water, sugar, cinnamon stick, and lemon peel in a saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes.
10. Remove from heat and stir in the honey. Discard the cinnamon stick and lemon peel.
11. Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes, then slowly pour the warm syrup over the warm cake.
12. Let the cake rest for at least 1 hour so the syrup can fully absorb before slicing and serving.
Notes
Use finely chopped walnuts for the traditional texture.
Warm syrup and warm cake absorb best, creating a perfectly moist Karidopita.
The cake tastes even better the next day after the flavors meld together.
Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Serve with Greek coffee, tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 31g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 75mg