Orašnica - Telugu Style Walnut Cake

Ingredients

In this Telugu adaptation of Orašnica, we infuse the cake with Telugu flavors by incorporating traditional spices like cardamom and saffron. Additionally, we use jaggery, a popular sweetener in Telugu cuisine, instead of regular sugar. These modifications enhance the cake's taste and give it a unique Telugu twist. We alse have the original recipe for Orašnica, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (120g) walnuts, finely chopped 1 cup (120g) walnuts, finely chopped
• 1 cup (200g) jaggery, grated 1 cup (200g) jaggery, grated
• 1/2 cup (120ml) ghee (clarified butter) 1/2 cup (120ml) ghee (clarified butter)
• 1/2 cup (120ml) milk 1/2 cup (120ml) milk
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1/4 teaspoon saffron strands 1/4 teaspoon saffron strands
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Pinch of salt Pinch of salt

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 36g, 20g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a cake pan.
2. 2.
   In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, walnuts, jaggery, ghee, milk, cardamom powder, saffron strands, baking powder, and salt. Mix well until all the ingredients are incorporated.
3. 3.
   Pour the batter into the greased cake pan and spread it evenly.
4. 4.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. 5.
   Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. 6.
   Once cooled, slice the cake and serve.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Walnuts — Ensure the walnuts are finely chopped to evenly distribute their flavor throughout the cake.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, toast the walnuts before chopping them.
• If jaggery is not available, you can substitute it with brown sugar.
• Add a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream on top of each slice for an extra touch of sweetness.

Serving advice

Serve the Telugu-style walnut cake as a dessert or a sweet treat with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

Presentation advice

Dust the top of the cake with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar and garnish with a few whole walnuts for an elegant presentation.