At our restaurant, we expertly blend innovation with tradition. Many of the dishes on our menu are rooted in recipes passed down by our grandparents, who once managed Casavecchia before us. Among the cherished “family” recipes we still delight in serving our guests is Nonna Giulietta’s famous walnut cake, which has bestowed upon us many cherished culinary secrets. For us, this cake is first and foremost a delicious childhood memory: chef Giuliano will never forget coming home from school and going to see his grandmother for a slice of walnut cake, inevitably accompanied by a cup of hot coffee. The recipe provided by Giuliano below is the original one created by Nonna Giulietta, with only one tasty difference: instead of a cup of coffee, the cake is now accompanied by a delicious coffee sauce. Here is the recipe to make Nonna Giulietta’s walnut cake at home!
Ingredients
For the cake:
150g Soft butter
120g Sugar
2 Egg yolks
300g Flour
5g Baking powder
300g Milk
100g Walnuts
2 Whipped egg whites
80g Sugar
For the sauce:
200g Milk
50g Espresso coffee
50g Egg yolks
50g Sugar
5g Cornstarch
Method
Beat the softened butter and sugar together in the bowl for a few minutes, gradually adding the egg yolks while continuing to beat. Gradually add the flour, baking powder, milk, and nuts to the mixture, blending well. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites and sugar until stiff peaks form, then fold them into the first mixture using a spatula. Grease and flour a baking pan, pour in the batter, and bake at 180°C for approximately 25-30 minutes. Check that the cake is done before removing from the oven.
To make the sauce
Whisk together the sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch vigorously. In a separate saucepan, bring the milk and coffee to a boil, then pour it into the sugar mixture. Transfer the mixture back to the saucepan and stir over a low heat until the sauce thickens. Allow the sauce to cool in a separate container.
Now you can enjoy Nonna Giulietta’s walnut cake at home, just like the one we make at Casavecchia!
