Walnut Cake: 5 Key Ingredients

Dear friends! Welcome to Paulina Cocina and a new installment of this recipe blog, a portal serving home cooking. Today we bring you a Chilean delight for lovers of sweet cakes: Walnut Cake.

In the vast repertoire of desserts that Chile has to offer, the walnut cake valdiviano It stands out as a true southern delight that conquers palates with its perfect blend of nuts and its spongy base.

Today we are going to review all the details about this walnut piefrom its origin, its characteristics, the best tips to prepare it and, of course, a walnut cake recipe with all the details to make it at home and enjoy its unmistakable flavor.

About the walnut cake

He walnut cake It is a fundamental piece of Chilean pastry, recognized for its exquisite combination of textures and flavors. It is a preparation that fuses the crunchiness of the walnut with a soft and slightly sweet dough, resulting in a dessert that can be enjoyed both at tea time or as the finishing touch to a special meal.

It is walnut pie It is ideal for those looking to explore traditional flavours with a touch of nostalgia and warmth. Preparing it is an experience that is not only enjoyed with the palate, but also connects with the cultural roots from a region rich in history and culinary tradition.

Origin of Valdivian walnut cake

The origin of the Valdivian walnut cakehas its roots in the German migration that occurred during the 19th century in Chile. During that period, a considerable number of Germans settled in the Valdivia region and its surroundings, seeking new opportunities and settling on fertile lands suitable for agriculture.

The settlers brought with them not only their culture and traditionsbut also their cooking skills. Among the recipes that they adapted to the Chilean context were various varieties of cakes and pies, known in German as “Kuchen”.

This term translates as cake or pie in German, and in Chile it has remained a broad name for several types of baked cakes, such as walnut cake or apple kuchen.

Walnut Tartlet or Kuchen of German origin

Today, the walnut cake It remains a symbol of German heritage in Chile, especially in the south of the country, where it is appreciated as part of the regional culinary identity.

• The influence of German migration has left an indelible mark on Chilean cuisine. It is also just one of many examples of How history and migration have shaped the gastronomic culture of the South American nation.

The adaptation of European recipes, such as apple strudel or kuchen, to the Chilean context not only allowed the settlers to preserve their culinary traditionsbut also enriched the diversity gastronomy of Chileincorporating new ingredients and techniques that were fused with local products and flavors.

5 Features of Walnut Kuchen

1. Crispy and soft texture: The top layer of walnuts adds a crunchy contrast to the softness of the dough.
2. Sweet balance: It’s not cloying; the sweetness is perfectly balanced between the dough and the nutty filling.
3. Pleasant aroma: As it bakes, the aroma of toasted nuts spreads throughout the kitchen, creating a sensory experience from the start.
4. Versatility: It can be served hot or cold, accompanied by cream or ice cream.
5. Valor cultural: It is part of the Chilean culinary identity, especially in the south of the country, where its tradition and homemade flavor are appreciated.

The base for making Walnut Kuchen

The preparation process of the walnut cake recipe It involves a series of careful steps including selecting fresh ingredients, preparing the right dough, and precise baking to achieve the desired texture and flavor. Mastering each step is essential to achieve an optimal end result.

The basic ingredients of walnut kuchen include flour, sugar, eggs, nuts chopped, condensed milk and butter, among others. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in the texture and final flavor of this delicious content de nuez Chilean.

When to enjoy walnut kuchen with cream in Chile

In Chile, this walnut pie It is commonly enjoyed at family gatherings, festive celebrations such as Christmas or birthdays, and at local cafes as a sweet accompaniment to afternoon coffee. It is a versatile dessert that suits a variety of social and personal situations.

Given its roots in German-Chilean culture in the south of the country, the Walnut cake with cream It is also featured in local festivities and cultural events that celebrate culinary traditions. It is common to find it at food fairs or festivals where the European heritage is highlighted in the cuisine. Chilean gastronomy.

Valdivian Walnut Kuchen Dough

The Masa de Kuchen It is different from other desserts. It is soft and slightly sweet, but firm enough to hold the nutty filling without falling apart when cut. This dough is essential to the success of the recipe and must be handled carefully to obtain the desired texture.

• Some of its features are its crispy and crumbly consistencyits slightly sweet taste, but not too much, to complement the filling. In some cases, a pinch of salt can be added to enhance the flavors.

Typical ingredients of this dough include flour, butter, sugar and eggsDepending on the filling, you can add baking powder for a more tender dough.

6 Tips for a tasty walnut cake

1. Fresh and quality nuts: Use fresh walnuts and toast them lightly before adding them to the mixture if they are too soft.
2. Controlling baking: Do not overcook the cake to prevent the nuts from burning and the dough from drying out.
3. Accompaniments: Serve the cake with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream to enhance the flavour and balance the sweetness.
4. Rest before serving: Let it rest walnut cake before cutting it so that the flavors settle.
5. Proper storage: Store in a cool, dry place to maintain freshness longer.
6. Decoration: You can decorate it with some caramelized walnuts to add more texture.

Follow me on Instagram (here)
And on YouTube I upload new recipes every week (click here)

Walnut cake recipe

Yield: 8/10 servings

Preparation time: 1 hour

Ingredients

For the Kuchen dough:

• 2 cups flour (240 g)
• 1/2 cup sugar (100 g)
• 1/2 cup cold butter (115 g)
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 pinch of salt

For the filling:

• 1 cup chopped walnuts (125 g)
• 1 cup condensed milk (250 ml) (recipe to make it at home)
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• Whipped cream (Optional to accompany)

How to make walnut cake step by step

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
2. Add the cold butter cut into cubes and work with your fingers or a pastry cutter until you obtain a sandy mixture.
3. Add the egg and mix until the dough comes together. If necessary, add a tablespoon of cold water to help bind the dough together.
4. Form a ball with the dough, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and line a tart tin approximately 24cm in diameter.
6. Prick the bottom of the pastry with a fork and bake for 10-12 minutes in a preheated oven at 180ºC, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

The filling of the walnut cake

1. In a bowl, beat the eggs. Add the condensed milk and vanilla essence and mix well.
2. Add the chopped walnuts (you can reserve some for decoration) and mix gently. Pour the walnut mixture over the pre-baked pastry base.
3. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until filling is firm and golden. Allow to cool before unmolding. Cut into portions and serve with a dollop of whipped cream.