Walnut Honey Cake

Ingredients

Syrup

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 cinnamon stick

Cake

• 3/4 cup butter, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
• 3/4 granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 cup finely ground walnuts
• (Optional) 1/4 cup crushed pistachios, for garnish

Directions

Syrup

1. To make the syrup, combine all the ingredients in a saucepan over medium high heat.
2. Simmer for 20 minutes and then set aside to cool.

Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Greased and floured an 8-inch square pan.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter, orange peel, and sugar together until fluffy.
4. Add eggs, one at a time. Beat well after each addition.
5. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
6. Fold the flour mixture into butter mixture, alternating with milk.
7. Fold in the ground nuts.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.
9. Bake for 30 minutes, or until tester inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.
10. Once done, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan.
11. Once cooled, cut into squares while in the pan.
12. Carefully pour the syrup over cake.
13. Transfer the cake to the refrigerate for 24 hours, to allow the syrup to soak into the cake.
14. (Optional) Before serving, top each slice of cake with a small amount of ground pistachios.