Kyrgyz Mountain Delight

Ingredients

This Kyrgyz adaptation of the American Space Cake incorporates traditional Kyrgyz ingredients and flavors. It replaces some of the original ingredients with local alternatives, such as using walnuts instead of pecans and honey instead of sugar. The spices are also adjusted to reflect the traditional flavors of Kyrgyz cuisine, adding a unique twist to the original recipe. We alse have the original recipe for Space Cake, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup (120ml) honey 1/2 cup (120ml) honey
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (120g) chopped walnuts 1 cup (120g) chopped walnuts
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
• Cream Cheese Frosting: Cream Cheese Frosting:
• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Nutrition

• Calories: 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat: 25g (12g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 53g (35g sugars)
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.4g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. 2.
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
3. 3.
   In a large bowl, beat together the vegetable oil, honey, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with buttermilk. Mix until just combined.
5. 5.
   Fold in the chopped walnuts.
6. 6.
   Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
7. 7.
   Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. 8.
   Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. 9.
10. 10.
    Cream Cheese Frosting:
11. 11.
    In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
12. 12.
    Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
13. 13.
    Stir in the vanilla extract and mix until smooth.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Walnuts — Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant. This will enhance their flavor and add a delightful crunch to the cake.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more pronounced Kyrgyz flavor, add a pinch of ground cardamom to the cake batter.
• If you prefer a less sweet frosting, reduce the amount of powdered sugar in the cream cheese frosting by half.
• Decorate the cake with edible flowers or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon for an extra touch of elegance.

Serving advice

Serve the Kyrgyz Mountain Cake at room temperature for the best flavor and texture. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar or garnish with a few whole walnuts. You can also pipe decorative patterns with the cream cheese frosting for an elegant finishing touch.