Romanian Walnut Buttercream Cake

Indulge in Romanian Walnut Buttercream Cake! 

🍽️ Transport your taste buds to the heart of Romania with our exquisite Walnut Buttercream Cake! This decadent dessert boasts layers of fluffy cake infused with caramelized walnuts, enveloped in a velvety buttercream frosting. Perfect for any celebration or special occasion, this indulgent treat is sure to impress even the most discerning dessert connoisseurs!

Ingredients:

• 350 g shelled walnut halves 🥜 (12.3 oz)
• 5 tablespoons granulated sugar 🍬
• 8 eggs 🥚 (only the egg whites; the yolks are for the buttercream)
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 🍬
• 1 pinch of salt 🧂
• 1 tablespoon rum 🌿 (optional)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice 🍋
• 9 tablespoons granulated sugar 🍬
• 200 ml milk 🥛 (6.7 fl.oz/ ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons)
• 300 g good quality unsalted butter 🧈 (at least 82% fat content, 10.5 oz/ 1 ⅓ cups + 1 tablespoon)
• 1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract 🍦 (to taste)

Directions:

Prepare the Walnuts:

1️⃣ Roast walnut halves until golden, then grind finely. Set aside a portion for caramelization.

Create the Caramelized Walnuts:

1️⃣ Make caramel by melting 5 tablespoons of sugar until golden, stir in ground walnuts, spread onto foil, and let set.

Bake the Cake Base:

1️⃣ Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt to stiff peaks, then gradually incorporate 3 tablespoons of sugar, rum, and lemon juice.

2️⃣ Fold in the ground walnuts, spread the mixture into a prepared baking pan, and bake at 350°F (175°C) until set and golden. Slice into 3 parts once cooled.

Prepare the Buttercream:

1️⃣ Beat egg yolks with 9 tablespoons of sugar until pale and thick, then add milk and cook over medium heat until thickened. Let cool completely.

2️⃣ Beat softened butter until fluffy, gradually add the cooled yolk mixture and vanilla extract.

Assemble the Cake:

1️⃣ Layer the cake slices with buttercream, topping each layer with crushed caramelized walnuts.

2️⃣ Refrigerate overnight to let the flavors meld.

Savor the rich flavors and exquisite textures of our Romanian Walnut Buttercream Cake, a culinary masterpiece that promises to elevate your dessert experience to new heights!