Walnut Cake

5 from 1 vote

This beautiful, rich walnut cake is moist, light, and full of walnut flavor. It's so simple, amazingly delicious, and perfect for birthdays or holidays! It's also gluten-free and dairy-free.

Prep Time5

Cook Time30

Total Time35

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: walnut cake

Servings:

Calories: 230kcal

Author: Katia

Ingredients

1 cup (3.5 oz/100 grams) walnut halves
1 bar (3.5 oz/100 grams) dark chocolate, broken into pieces
½ cup (100 grams) sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs

Honey glaze (optional)

2 tablespoon honey
½ cup (2 oz/60 grams) walnut halves, chopped

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 180°C/355°F and line an 8-inch loose base round pan with parchment paper. Alternatively, you can grease the side and bottom of the cake pan with butter. Set aside.
Grind walnuts and chocolate: Add the walnuts and part of the sugar to a food processor. Grind the walnuts evenly, but stop before they turn into a fine powder. Transfer to a bowl. Next, add the chocolate to the food processor, and grind.
Separate the eggs: Divide the yolks and whites into different bowls. Add the remaining sugar to the yolks, and using an electric beater or stand mixer, beat until fluffy and pale. Next, add the walnuts, chocolate, and vanilla extract and mix with a spatula until well combined.
Beat the egg whites: Make sure the paddle attachment of your beater or stand mixer is clean and dry, then beat the egg whites until soft picks form.
Combine eggs white and batter: Add ⅓ of the whipped whites to the batter and mix with a spatula until combined, then fold the rest gently until the batter looks fluffy and well combined (a few lumps are fine).
Bake: Transfer the batter to the cake pan, level with a spatula, and bake for 30 minutes until lightly golden brown. After this time, insert a toothpick in the center, if it comes out clean, the cake is done. Transfer the cake to a cooling wire rack, let it cool for 5-10 minutes, and then remove it from the pan.,
Glaze (optional): Microwave the honey for a few seconds until runny, then brush the cake while it's still warm and sprinkle with chopped walnuts. Alternatively, dust it with icing sugar. Enjoy at room temperature.

Notes

Nutrition facts: The nutrition values are for one serving (without counting the glaze and chopped walnuts on top), and are based on an online nutrition calculator. It’s an estimate only, and it should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. Please see my disclosure policies

Nutrition