Imagine a dessert so rich, so decadent, that it captures the essence of Greek culinary tradition in every single bite. Karidopita is not just a cake – it's a symphony of flavors that marries the earthy crunch of walnuts with a silky smooth vanilla custard cream that will make your dessert dreams come true. Whether you're a baking enthusiast or a curious foodie looking to explore authentic Greek cuisine, this walnut sheet cake is about to become your new obsession.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
Cuisine: Greek
Serves: 12 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 cups milk
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup sugar (for custard)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for custard)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking pan with olive oil.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped walnuts, sugar, flour, baking powder, and ground cinnamon. Mix dry ingredients thoroughly.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil and whole eggs until well blended and slightly frothy.
- Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring continuously to create a smooth cake batter.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the cake is baking, prepare the vanilla custard cream by whisking egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch in a saucepan.
- Gradually add milk to the egg mixture, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
- Cook the custard over medium heat, continuously stirring until it thickens and begins to bubble.
- Remove custard from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and let it cool to room temperature.
- Once the cake has cooled completely, spread the vanilla custard cream evenly over the top.
- Optionally, sprinkle additional chopped walnuts on top of the custard for extra texture.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the custard to set and flavors to meld.
- Slice into squares and serve chilled, enjoying the rich, nutty flavors of this traditional Greek dessert.
Tips
- Toast your walnuts lightly before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra depth to the cake.
- Use room temperature eggs for a smoother, more consistent cake batter.
- When making the custard, stir constantly to prevent lumps and achieve a silky texture.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before adding the custard to prevent melting.
- For the most authentic taste, use high-quality olive oil and fresh eggs.
- Refrigerate the cake for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors meld together.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 95mg
