Albanian Walnut Cake With Lemon Glaze Recipe

Ingredients for Albanian Walnut Cake With Lemon Glaze

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• Plain Yogurt
• ½ cup buttermilk
• Flour
• Baking Powder
• Baking Soda
• Cinnamon
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• Water
• Cinnamon Stick
• Fresh Lemon Juice
• Ground Allspice
• Ground Cloves

How to Make Albanian Walnut Cake With Lemon Glaze

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. Cream together 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter and 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in 4 large eggs one at a time.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup plain yogurt and ½ cup buttermilk.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the yogurt mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
6. Stir in 1 cup chopped walnuts and the zest of 1 lemon.
7. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. While the cake bakes, prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine ½ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup lemon juice, 2 tablespoons water, and 1 cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
9. Remove the cinnamon stick from the glaze.
10. Remove the cake from the oven. Pour the warm glaze evenly over the hot cake.
11. Return the cake to the oven for 10 minutes to allow the glaze to set.
12. Let the cake cool completely before cutting into squares and serving.