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    Home » Recipes » Cakes

    Karidopita (Greek Walnut Cake)

    Published: Nov 7, 2022 by Neriz · This post contains some affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Ground walnuts and bits of chocolate in every bite!  Do you want it more sweet?  Then drench your Greek Walnut Cake (Karidopita) with more syrup — excellent for dessert or a mid-day snack!

    An overhead shot of Greek walnut cake, with light syrup next to it.

    What is karidopita?

    It’s a classic Greek dessert that’s also called ‘karithopita‘ sometimes.  

    Karidopita is a moist cake made from ground walnuts, so there is very little flour in it — plus it’s got chocolate bits.

    Nuts and chocolate in a delicious cake that’s so easy to make — how can you say no to that? 🙂

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    Ingredients

    All the ingredients you need to prepare karidopita at home.
    • Walnuts – chopped finely, or you can use a food processor to ground them (like I did in this recipe).
    • Eggs – medium-sized eggs (63 to 73 grams per piece) at room temperature.
    • Butter – unsalted and softened.
    • Flour – all-purpose flour is all you need for preparing karidopita.
    • Chocolate – dark chocolate and grated.
    • Baking powder – just use your favorite brand.
    • Sugar – regular granulated white sugar is excellent for making Greek walnut cake and light syrup.
    • Cinnamon & cloves – both in powder form.
    • Lemon – you would only be using lemon juice for the light syrup in this karidopita recipe.
    A closer shot of the inside of Greek Walnut cake, showing the bits of chocolates and walnuts inside.

    Preparation

    Start preparing your karidopita by preheating the oven to 180°C (350°F), greasing your cake pan with butter, then set it aside.

    Place the walnuts in a food processor and pulse until you get a finer texture (photo 1).

    Set the chopped walnuts aside for later.

    First part of a collage of images on how to make karidopita.

    Using a medium-sized bowl, sift and combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon powder, and ground cloves (photo 2).

    In a separate, bigger bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar (photo 3)

    Second part of a collage to show the steps of making karithopita at home.

    Add the eggs one at a time, mixing in between additions (photo 4).

    Add the strained, dry ingredients from earlier (flour, spices, etc.) and combine everything.

    Add the chopped walnuts and the grated chocolate (photo 5).

    Fold to mix them evenly with the rest of the karidopita ingredients.

    Pour your walnut cake batter into the prepared cake pan.

    Third part of a collage of images to show how to make Greek walnut cake.

    Use an angled spatula to even the top (photo 6).

    Place the karidopita pan in the lower part of the oven for forty to forty-five minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted.

    Start with the light syrup by combining half-cup of sugar, half a cup of water, and two teaspoons of lemon juice in a small saucepan (photo 7).

    Last part of a collage showing the steps to prepare walnut cake at home.

    Mix until the sugar dissolves, bring to a boil, and keep boiling for five minutes — DO NOT STIR.

    Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

    Once your karidopita has cooled down, pour about five tablespoons of the light syrup on it (photo 8).

    Give it a few minutes to absorb, then serve your Greek walnut cake — enjoy!

    An overhead shot of karithopita dusted with powdered sugar, ready for serving.

    Helpful tips

    • Try not to ground the walnuts too much — it’s nice to have some tiny bits of them left on the finished karidopita.
    • Instead of using a grater, you can also use a food processor to prepare the chocolates.
    • You can also use a square or rectangular cake pan for making karidopita, especially if you intend to cut (and serve) them in squares.
    An image showing a slice of karidopita with syrup pouring into it.

    How to serve karidopita?

    You can pour some brandy on top or add the liquor directly into the light syrup I’ve provided in this karidopita recipe.

    Then pour the syrup before cutting the cake and more when serving it, if preferred.

    Alternatively, you can just lightly dust karidopita with powdered sugar or serve it as it is — absolutely delicious.

    So, give this Greek walnut cake recipe a try one of these days, and let me know! 🙂

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    An image showing a slice of karidopita with syrup pouring into it.

    Greek Walnut Cake Recipe (Karidopita)

    Ground walnuts and bits of chocolate in every bite!  Do you want more it more sweet?  Then drench your Greek Walnut Cake (Karidopita) with more syrup — excellent for dessert or a mid-day snack!
    No ratings yet
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    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Greek
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 602kcal
    Author: Neriz

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowls
    • Pyrex Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Strainer for Sifting
    • Food Processor
    • Hand Mixer
    • 8-inch Cake Pan
    • Angled Spatula
    • Small saucepan
    • Cooling rack

    Ingredients

    For Greek walnut cake:

    • 225 grams butter (about 1 cup), softened, plus more for greasing
    • 225 grams walnuts (2 to 2 &1/4 cups or 8 ounces)
    • 120 grams dark chocolate (about 1/2 cup or 4.30 ounces), grated
    • 230 grams sugar (1 cup)
    • 175 grams flour (1 & 1/2 cups or 6.15 ounces)
    • 3 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground clove
    • 6 medium eggs
    • powderd sugar (optional), for serving

    For the light syrup:

    • 1/2 cup sugar
    • 2 to 3 teaspoons lemon juice

    Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F), grease your cake pan with butter, then set it aside.

    Prepare karidopita batter:

    • Place the walnuts in a food processor, pulse until you get a finer texture, and set aside.
    • Sift and combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon powder, and ground cloves in a medium-sized bowl.
    • In a larger mixing bowl, beat the sugar and softened butter.
    • Add the eggs one at a time, mixing in between additions.
    • Add the dry ingredients from earlier (flour, spices, etc.) and combine everything.
    • Fold the chopped walnuts and grated chocolate into the walnut cake batter.
    • Pour batter into the greased cake pan, then use an angled spatula to even the top.
    • Place the karidopita pan in the lower part of the oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted.

    Prepare the light syrup:

    • Combine all the syrup ingredients in a small saucepan.
    • Mix until the sugar dissolves, place the saucepan on medium heat and bring to a boil.
    • Keep boiling for 5 minutes (DO NOT STIR!), remove from the heat, and set aside to cool.
    • Once your karidopita has cooled down, pour 4 to 5 tablespoons of the light syrup on it.
    • Leave for a few minutes to absorb, then serve your Greek walnut cake!

    Notes

    • Cook’s Tip#1:  Do not ground the walnuts too much for karidopita — it’s nice to have some tiny bits of them left on the cake.
    • Cook’s Tip #2:  You can also use a food processor to prepare the chocolates instead of a grater.
    • Cook’s Tip#3:  Using a square or rectangular cake pan for karidopita is not a problem, especially if you intend to cut (and serve) them in squares.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 602kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 147mg | Sodium: 311mg | Potassium: 164mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 710IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @foodandjourneys or tag #foodandjourneys!

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