Hrapoćuša; Traditional Walnut Cake from Brač Island
Persons
16
Serving Size
1 slice
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour, 30 minutes
Total Time
2 hours
Notes
The cake is delicious at room temperature and will keep for about 5 – 7 days, but it is best to refrigerate. I recommend microwaving each slice for 10 – 15 seconds prior to serving, goes great with a cup of tea or coffee! ENJOY!
You can make ahead and freeze, and defrost for when you need it, too.
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 5 whole eggs
- 9 egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 and 3/4 cups white sugar (350 g)
- 2 and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (250 g)
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 3/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped (100 g)
- For the Walnut Praline topping:
- 9 egg whites
- 3 and 1/4 cup white sugar (650 g)
- 4 and 2/3 cups walnut halves (700 g)
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Line the base of a 10 inch (25 cm) springform pan with baking paper, then lightly spray or grease the sides with oil
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C)
- In a stand mixer with a wire whisk attachment (or by hand) whisk the 5 whole eggs and 9 egg yolks, vanilla, lemon zest and sugar until foamy but not stiff. Remove from stand mixer, and gently whisk by hand the flour, baking powder and ground walnuts into the wet ingredients. Mix only until dry ingredients are just barely incorporated, (do not overmix) then pour the batter into the prepared springform pan. Depending on your pan size, do not fill the pan more than 1/2 to 2/3 full. The cake will rise slightly, and you’ll need room for the walnut praline topping.
- Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes until just baked, test with a knife or skewer. It should come out fairly clean, and you should be able to touch the cake lightly (carefully!) without leaving an indention. Do not overbake!
- While the cake is in the oven, work quickly to create the praline topping.
- Put 9 egg whites and sugar into a large saucepan, and mix until sugar is incorporated. Add all of the walnut halves into the saucepan, stir to coat.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for about 15 minutes until it’s slightly thicker and a light golden brown.
- Add the lemon juice and keep stirring for another further 5 or 6 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and set aside.
- When the bottom layer of the cake is cooked, remove it from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 320°F (150°C).
- Pour the still-hot walnut praline mixture over the cake that just came out of the oven, spreading it evenly and gently over the top.
- Put the pan back into the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes until the top is light brown.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before removing from the pan.
- Run a sharp paring knife around the edges of the springform so nothing sticks, pop the spring, and voila! Ready for cutting and serving!
