Spiced Cake

Spiced Cake with Nuts and Goji Berries

Making a cake is an art, and this recipe for a spiced cake with nuts, goji berries, and a delicious egg cream is certainly a masterpiece that will bring joy to your tables. Combining the flavors of cinnamon with those of walnuts, this cake becomes a perfect dessert for any occasion. Let's discover together the steps to create this wonderful cake.

Total preparation time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Baking time: 45 minutes
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients

For the layers (3 layers):
- 12 egg whites
- 12 tablespoons of raw sugar
- 300 g ground walnuts
- 50 g goji berries
- 6 tablespoons of flour
- 3 tablespoons of cinnamon

For the cream:
- 12 egg yolks
- 10 tablespoons of raw sugar
- 500 ml milk
- 1 pack of unsalted butter (approx. 250 g)
- 3 tablespoons of vanilla sugar
- Raisins and cranberries soaked in a little cognac

For decoration:
- Mixture of walnuts and goji berries
- White chocolate flakes

A Brief History of the Spiced Cake

Spiced cakes, especially those that include nuts and dried fruits, have been popular throughout time in various cultures. They symbolize joy and hospitality, often being prepared for holidays or special events. This cake is a perfect combination of flavors and textures that will delight every guest and bring a touch of warmth to the soul.

Step by Step: Making the Cake

1. Preparing the layers

- Grinding the ingredients: In a food processor, grind the walnuts, goji berries, crunchy cereals, and cinnamon until you get a fine mix. This will add a delicious taste to the cake.
- Separating the ingredients: Set aside 5-6 tablespoons of this mixture to use for decorating the cake.

- Beating the egg whites: In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites until frothy. Gradually add the sugar and continue beating until you achieve a firm and shiny meringue.

- Incorporating the ingredients: Add the walnut mixture and flour to the meringue, gently folding with a spatula to avoid losing air from the mixture.

- Baking the layers: Line a rectangular baking tray with parchment paper. Pour the mixture into the tray and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 15 minutes. Repeat the process twice to obtain 3 layers.

2. Preparing the cream

- Hydrating the fruits: Place the raisins and cranberries in a glass with a little cognac and let them sit to hydrate.

- Preparing the yolk cream: Beat the yolks with the sugar until creamy. Place the mixture over a double boiler and cook, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly.

- Adding the milk: Pour the milk into the yolk mixture and continue to cook over low heat, stirring until the cream becomes thick.

- Butter cream: Meanwhile, cream the butter with powdered sugar and vanilla sugar until fluffy. Add the hydrated raisins and cranberries, then gradually incorporate the egg cream, gently mixing to achieve a smooth texture. Let the cream cool slightly in the refrigerator.

3. Assembling the cake

- Loading the tray: Using the same tray you baked the layers in, place a piece of parchment paper. Place the first layer of dough and spread one-third of the cream evenly over the surface.

- Layering: Place the next layer, add another third of the cream, then repeat the process with the last layer and the remaining cream.

- Decorating: Sprinkle the reserved walnut mixture from the beginning, a little cinnamon, and white chocolate flakes on the top layer of cream.

4. Cooling and serving

Let the cake cool completely in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or even overnight, to allow the flavors to blend perfectly.

Serving Suggestions

This spiced cake pairs perfectly with a cup of aromatic tea or a glass of sweet wine. You can also add a dollop of sour cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside for a contrast of temperatures and textures.

Practical Tips

- Choose quality ingredients: Use fresh walnuts and high-quality goji berries for the best flavors.
- Don’t lose the air: When incorporating the dry ingredients into the meringue, make sure to mix carefully to maintain the airy texture.
- Delicious variations: You can experiment with other dried fruits, such as apricots or figs, to give a personal twist to your cake.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of spiced cake contains approximately 250 calories, being rich in protein due to the eggs and nuts. Additionally, goji berries add antioxidants and essential vitamins, making this dessert not only delicious but also beneficial for health.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I replace the egg whites?
Yes, you can use an egg substitute to make the cake vegan, but the texture and taste will be different.

2. How can I store the cake?
The cake stores well in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

3. Can I freeze the cake?
It is recommended not to freeze the assembled cake, but you can freeze the layers individually, keeping them in airtight packaging.

4. What other ingredients can I use?
You can add dark chocolate, pecans, or almonds to diversify the flavors.

So, get ready to spread joy and aroma in the air with this spiced cake recipe! It is simple, quick, and incredibly delicious!

 Ingredients: For 1 sheet (3 sheets are needed): 4 egg whites (total of 12 egg whites) 4 tbsp raw sugar (total of 12 tbsp sugar) 4 tablespoons of a mix of ground walnuts, goji berries, and crunchy cereals + cinnamon (total about 300g walnut kernels and 50g goji) 2 tbsp flour (total of 6 tbsp flour) For the cream: 12 egg yolks 10 tbsp raw sugar 500 ml milk 1 pack of unsalted butter 3 tbsp vanilla sugar raisins and cranberries soaked in a little cognac vanilla For decoration: walnut and goji mix white chocolate flakes