Pennsylvania Dutch Black Walnut Cake, A Thanksgiving Tradition

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday for several reasons, but one stands out more than any other. Every year my mom would make her best cake; Black Walnut Cake. I looked forward to this cake every Thanksgiving. It is a rich, flavorful, cake that just last in your taste buds for such a long time. It is hard to tell if you keep tasting the rich walnut flavor or you loved it so much that you keep thinking about it until the flavor returns to your memory so vividly that it seems like you still have it in your mouth. It just makes you want to go back for more. Here is my Pennsylvania Dutch traditional Black Walnut Cake recipe just as mom always made it. Adjust it how you like it best. Some people enjoy it with the Walnuts sprinkled on top and some people enjoy it best with no Walnuts on top of the icing. Our traditional recipe calls for the Walnuts sprinkled on top.

• 1 Cup Butter
• 2 Cups Sugar
• 4 Eggs
• 3 Cups Flour
• 4 Teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Sat
• 1 1/2 Cub Milk
• 1 Cup Chopped Black Walnuts
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla

Mix ingredients, keeping a portion (about 1/3 cup) of the Black Walnuts aside for the topping.

Flour and grease your cake pan or pans depending on the size you are using.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. Use a tooth pick to stick in the cake to determine if it is done. If none of the batter comes out with the tooth pick, it is done.

Let the cake cool before icing it with a white icing and then top it off with the crushed Walnuts that you put to the side.

Some people like a sweeter taste and a more festive looking cake. An alternative to the traditional Pennsylvania Dutch Black Walnut Cake recipe, here is a recipe for a Cranberry Walnut Cake. The two cakes can be altered to your own taste. You can use the recipe above and add 2 cups of Cranberries or for a more spicy flavor use this recipe.

• 1 3/4 Cups Brown Sugar or 1 Cup Honey and 2 Tablespoons of Orange Juice
• 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
• 2 Cups Flour
• 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1/2 Teaspoon Nutmeg
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 2 Eggs
• 2 Cups Cranberries
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
• 2 Cups Sliced Apples
• 1/2 Cup Walnuts

If you are using honey, whip it first; high speed for 10 minutes.

Add oil, sugar, eggs and vanilla, and then beat well.

Add the dry ingredients, stir in the Apples, Cranberries, and nuts. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes in a well greased pan or pans depending on the size you are using. Top with white icing and optional Walnuts on top.