The Black Walnut Cake Recipe, passed down through generations, features the distinctive earthy flavor of black walnuts, setting it apart from regular walnut-based desserts.
Regardless of the recipe, Black Walnut Cake is a decadent treat that is perfect for any occasion. In this article, we will explore some of the best Black Walnut Cake recipes available, as well as tips and tricks for making the perfect cake every time.
Key Black Walnut Cake Ingredients & Why
Black Walnuts
Elevate your cake with the unique, rich flavor of black walnuts.
Butter
Indulge in the cake’s richness and flavor with the essential ingredient – butter.
Sweeten your cake and create a tender, moist texture with sugar.
Ensure structure and flavor in your cake with eggs binding the ingredients.
Flour
The foundation of your cake’s structure and texture lies in flour.
Infuse moisture and tanginess into your cake while activating the leavening agent.
Baking Soda
Witness your cake rise and become light and fluffy with the magic of baking soda.
Vanilla Extract
Add a burst of flavor to both your cake and frosting with vanilla extract.
Cream Cheese
Achieve a tangy, rich frosting with the use of cream cheese.
Coconut
Enhance your cake with added texture and flavor by including coconut.
Cream of Tartar
Stabilize your frosting with cream of tartar for a fluffy, stable delight.
Powdered Sugar
Sweeten your frosting and achieve a smooth texture with powdered sugar
How Do You Make The Best Black Walnut Cake?
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Sift the flour and set it aside.
- Chop black walnuts if necessary.
- Place butter in a large mixing bowl.
- Add lard or shortening.
- Cream butter and shortening with a mixer for 3 minutes.
- Gradually mix in light brown sugar until smooth.
- Gradually add granulated sugar, mixing until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing until combined; scrape the bowl as needed.
- Alternate adding flour and milk, starting and ending with flour.
- Incorporate butter nut flavoring, mixing until combined.
- Add walnut pieces.
- Gently fold nuts into the mixture by hand until combined.
- Grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans.
- Divide the batter between the three pans.
- Bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven, place pans on a wire rack, and let cool for 10 minutes.
- Remove layers from pans and place them on a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro Tips For Making Black Walnut Cake Recipe
- Opt for black walnuts for their bold, earthy flavor, a key ingredient in black walnut cake.
- For smaller walnut pieces in your cake, chop them before adding to the batter.
- Thoroughly cream the butter and sugar for a lighter, fluffier cake.
- Alternately add flour and buttermilk for a well-mixed, moist batter.
- Enhance the rich flavor of your black walnut cake with cream cheese frosting.
- Refrigerate cream cheese frosting to keep it fresh due to its perishable nature.
- Ensure your cake cools completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Freeze leftover cake for up to three months by tightly wrapping it in plastic wrap and thaw at room temperature before serving.
How to Store Black Walnut Cake
- For black walnut cake, refrigerate up to 4-5 days in a cake container or dome. Wrap it tightly in plastic and foil when cool, chill in the fridge until an hour before serving. It’s safe at room temperature for 2-3 days. After cutting, cover to prevent drying. For longer storage, use the refrigerator.
- Freeze black walnut cake for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic and foil, then place it in an airtight container or freezer bag, and label with the date. Thaw in the refrigerator when ready to enjoy.
- Keep your cake fresh and moist in a cake container or dome.
- Ensure freshness by storing your cake in an airtight container.
Can You Freeze Black Walnut Cake?
- Slice or keep the cake whole.
- Seal the cake in plastic wrap to avoid freezer burn.
- Store it in an airtight container or freezer bag.
- Label with date and contents.
- Freeze securely.
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Walnut Cake
What are the ingredients in black walnut cake?
Black walnut cake recipes often differ in ingredient choices, but some common components include butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, milk, vanilla extract, and, of course, black walnuts.
What does black walnut cake taste like?
The black walnut cake’s unique, bold flavor, derived from black walnuts, divides opinions. Some describe it as bitter or resembling strong vinegar, while others revel in its perfect harmony with chocolate.
Is buttermilk used in black walnut cake batter?
While some black walnut cake recipes recommend adding buttermilk to the batter, it’s not a mandatory ingredient.
Black Walnut Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup Butter (1 stick) at room temperature
- ½ cup Lard, or Crisco Vegetable Shortening
- 1 cup Light Brown Sugar, packed firm
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 5 Large Eggs, at room temperature
- 1–1/2 cup Buttermilk
- 3–1/2 cups sifted Self-Rising Flour
- 2 teaspoon Butter Nut Flavoring, (or Vanilla)
- 1 ½ cups Black Walnut Pieces, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Sift the flour and set it aside.
- Chop black walnuts if necessary.
- Place butter in a large mixing bowl.
- Add lard or shortening.
- Use a mixer to blend butter and shortening for 3 minutes.
- Gradually mix in light brown sugar until smooth.
- Add granulated sugar gradually, mixing until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing until combined; scrape the bowl as needed.
- Alternate adding flour and milk, starting and ending with flour.
- Incorporate butter nut flavoring, mixing until combined.
- Add the walnut pieces.
- Gently fold the nuts into the mixture by hand until combined.
- Grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans.
- Divide the batter among the three pans.
- Bake at 350F for 20-30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and place the pans on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes.
- Remove the layers from the pans and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
