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This buttery, light cake is speckled with walnuts and notes of citrus then layered together with a fruit preserve center. It's a seasonal treat that is perfect for cozy Autumn days and holiday occasions as well.
Today, we're serving up a slice of Walnut Tea Cake alongside Bigelow Pumpkin Spice Tea. If you're interested in trying Bigelow, hover over the image below to shop their variety of seasonal and classic blends available at Walmart!
“Of all the wonders of nature, a tree in summer is perhaps the most remarkable: with the possible exception of a moose singing ‘Embraceable You’ in spats,” as Woody Allen remarked.
Now, in light of today’s product, you might be asking “What does any of that have to do with tea or walnut cake?”
There answer is plainly that, for me, ‘Autumn in New York’ is the ‘most remarkable of all the wonders of nature,’ while pumpkin spice is the ‘singing moose’ portion of Mr. Allen’s equation. Cue a thousand pairs of rolled eyes. Yes, I know, the preponderance of “pumpkin spice everything” has entered the realm of meme material poking fun at leftover hipsters past their prime clinging to the ‘once cool lattes of yesteryear,’ but for me pumpkin spice is simply the flavor of the season. It’s warm and vaguely hardy, spicy in that ‘earthy’ way that conjures images of hearth and home, and it just…it tastes like the changing of the leaves.
For me, pumpkin spice is to autumn what tea is to a rainy day spent by the bay window; combining those three things, well, now that’s simply bliss. Picture a lazy autumn morning, and a hot cup of natural pumpkin flavor, hints of licorice root, cinnamon, ginger and cloves, set against a backdrop of black tea. Naturally, I’m describing Bigelow Pumpkin Spice Tea.
Bigelow has been, my family’s tea of choice for quite literally my entire life due to its reliable quality and simply delicious flavor. Conveniently available at Walmart, the teas come in a convenient foil packaging which seals in freshness and flavor.
Today, alongside my seasonal favorite Pumpkin Spice, I'm also serving Earl Grey, another fine blend of black tea and bergamont oil from the gardens of Calabria.
Now, being who and what I am, why stop at the tea? Why not have an accompanying slice of ‘something’ that also comes packed with its own assortment of quintessential fall flavors? That, of course, brings us to today’s recipe – Walnut Tea Cake.
Today’s walnut cake is almost precisely what it sounds like – a walnut cake that pairs excellently with tea.
To start things off, we begin by buttering and flour dusting two nine inch baking pans. After that, combine butter and sugar in the amounts listed below, and mix them until they form a cream-like substance. Then add in six egg yolks to the butter and flour, one at time, beating the mixture thoroughly after each yolk.
After that, combine graham cracker crumbs, flour, baking soda, and salt, and mix thoroughly before adding to the sugar and flour mixture. Then stir in orange rind and chopped walnuts, and set it aside.
Now, whip six egg whites until they stiffen, you want to achieve nice sharp peaks. Once that’s done, fold the whites into the batter, and pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for about forty minutes. Once the cakes have finished baking, let them cool and remove from their pans. Spread the apricot preserves over the flat side of one of the cakes, then assemble and dust with powdered sugar, and you’re done.
Walnut Tea Cake
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 1 cake 1x
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter - (one stick) softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 6 eggs - separated
- 6 oz. graham crackers - pulsed fine
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 1/2 tsp. orange zest
- 1 1/2 cups finely ground walnuts
- 1 cup apricot preserves or preserves of your choice
- Confectioners’ sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat Oven 325 degrees F.
- Butter and dust with flour - two 9- inch layer pans
- Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy
- Add the yolks, one at a time, beating the mixture after each yolk
- Combine the graham cracker crumbs, flour, baking powder and salt
- Add to the butter and sugar mixture along with the orange juice and beat
- Stir in the orange rind and the chopped walnuts
- Beat the egg whites until stiff and fold into the batter
- Pour the batter into the prepared pans
- Bake 35 – 40 minutes or until the toothpick test comes out clean
- Allow the layers to cool 10 – 12 minutes before removing from pans
- Place the preserves on the flat side of one layer and top with the other layer
- Dust the cake with confectioners’ sugar and serve.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
Served alongside Bigelow Pumpkin Spice Tea or any other preferred Bigelow tea, and this is simply a perfect fall dessert.
Don't forget to connect and follow Bigelow for tea time inspirations and updates on all your favorite seasonal blends! Enjoy with Love!
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Stacie says
Holy. Moly. Well, it looks like I'll be making tea time a part of my life from now on. I love a nice tea, and that cake looks AH-mazing!
DAVID J MYERS says
Catherine, Lots of butter, orange juice and apricots...can't go wrong. Moist and light too with a nice filling between layers... Cut me a couple of slices! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Chloé Arnold says
Ahhh this sounds divine! I love having a daily afternoon tea so I might have to make this to go with it each day!
Dominique Brooks says
That looks tasty! I grew up with a different type of teacakes (my grandmother made them -- a less sweet version of a sugar cookie) but perhaps I will try to add this to my rotation!
Thanks!
Wendy says
This is mouthwatering. but honestly, I don't know what pumpkin spice tastes like. it's not something common here. However, your post urged me to bake a cake haha
angiesrecipes says
The tea cake looks absolutely irresistible made with walnuts!
Alexandra says
How delicious this looks and sounds. I love a good tea cake - divine! I will be sure to make this soon. Thank you for sharing 🙂
kumamonjeng says
I am quite interested to find how the cake will taste like when orange juice and orange zest are added. Glad to know my favourite walnuts are included in this recipe. Walnuts are healhty choice for brain.
Catherine Santiago Jose says
I have never tried to do this kind of cake flavor but this walnut tea cake recipe looks really delicious and looks so easy to make. I will definitely try this, thanks for sharing!
Claudia Lamascolo says
this cake looks like it came straight from a 5 star Restaurant and should be on the front page of the huffington post great photo and I am certain I would devour this gorgeous cake
Gloria says
I love rustic desserts. This cake is also a great addition to the brunch menu. I would have no problem eating it for breakfast.
Yasmine Camilla says
Wow! This cake looks absolutely delicious, especially in your lovely photography. I’m so bad at baking but you make me want to practice as I’d love to be able to make this!!
Christie Moeller says
Pinning. Making. Oh my yummy yum!
Vanessa Price says
I love the sound of tea and cake. It just seems like such a posh thing to do haha This walnut tea cake sounds so lovely. Will try it soon and report back with all my compliments!
Windy says
Bring on fall with this delicious looking cake. Comfort food at its best
Veena Azmanov says
Love rustic cakes and this sounds so simple and easy. Love walnuts so this would be perfect of us on a fall evening tea break. Saving this for later.
Pavani says
What a delicious and flavorful looking tea cake that is. Adding walnuts and that apricot fillings sounds amazing. Perfect snack cake for this time of the year.
Jasmine Hewitt says
never had teacake but i'd be willing to give this a try. it sounds pretty good!
Sam says
I’m not a fan of walnuts, but I bet a lot of my family would like it. Your pictures are so good! They look like something from a cookbook. 🙂
Karyl Henry says
This cake looks really delicious. I love the preserves filling in the middle, for a wonderful contrast of texture in every bite.
Mahy Elamin says
Oh God, this cake impresses me! My whole family would go crazy for these! I want to try it immediately. I really like this recipe. It really impresses! An interesting mix of ingredients. Thank you!
Sincerely Miss J says
Never heard of walnut tea cake but your recipe looks super good
Marisa Franca says
MMMMM! That cake looks so good. I've already pinned it to make as soon as I can get to my bakeware. I bet it smells wonderful and it tastes even better. I was just at the store to pick up my morning tea -- I drink Bigelow's Constant Comment. Hubby drinks decaf coffee in the morning and I like just a bit of caffeine. I love the taste!! I'll have to keep an eye out for the pumpkin flavor.
Dan Zehr says
Now, this recipe will be one of my favorites. I want to eat it every day! I'm sure this is very tasty. This is a great recipe for me.
sara lafountain says
This cake looks incredibly tasty! I love the ingredients you used. I am going to try it at the brunch I am catering later this week.
Nikki says
This is a great recipe. It’s looks sooo good! I can’t wait to try it.
Synz says
This looks really delicious. I will send the recipe to my sisters for them to try. They love makin stuff like this.
Danielle says
This cake looks so yummy! I can't wait to try he recipe out!
Natalie says
Oh this cake looks soooo good. SO good! I can see myself sipping my noon tea and having a slice of this deliciousness. I'll be making this cake soon for sure.
Liza Perry says
Your pictures are so mouthwatering! I love the work on light you did they seem so warm! I will definitely try your recipe Im so curious about what tea in cake would taste! Thank you!
Elaine Benoit says
This looks and sounds delicious! I love the color, the texture and heck, everything about it. Perfect too with the apricot preserves!
Gloria Roa Baker says
I love this cake, looks absolutely delicious ! hugs!
Danielle says
This cake looks delicious! I am loving your photos too! I cannot wait to try!
Gloria says
This is the perfect cake for brunch, dessert, and an afternoon treat. Rustic, simple and FULL of flavour!!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Love the thick layer of preserves in the middle of this cake! It sounds absolutely wonderful and would be perfect with a cuppa coffee right about now 🙂
Shobee says
What a very interesting batter: graham crackers mixed with the flour. The cake looks soooo good and moist. Your house must smell so good while this cake is baking.
Anna Hettick says
This looks so good! I love a good cake that is simple and yummy without frosting all over the top!!
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
This looks so delicious and absolutely perfect for this time of year. Love all of the earthy flavors you've got going in this dish!
April says
It's been just recently that I have started to experiment with walnuts! This is definitely something I would try! And the images look so autumny - give me that fall vibe from the first image!
Amanda Mason says
This looks SO amazing and oh so perfect for fall! Seriously - this is the PERFECT fall desert! Love all the orange and apricot. This would be so perfect with a cup of hot tea! Love this!
Jyothi (Jo) says
I love anything with walnuts and definitely tea cake with walnuts is brilliant.
Leslie Haasch says
This looks so moist and just plain cozy! I'm gonna have to make this and curl up with a big warm blanket and a cup of tea. Love it!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen says
I am a big fan of earl gray tea - what a perfect accompaniment for this gorgeous cake! Fall on a plate for sure!
Kitty says
Can I have this for breakfast with my coffee? This looks like the perfect morning treat!
Ruchi says
Walnut and orange combination is so lovely and delicious. Perfect kind of cake for my afternoon cup of tea!
Jagruti Dhanecha says
Oh my gosh, I really want a slice of this incredibly tasty walnut cake! Look moist, fluffy and perfectly baked.
Emily Leary says
Oh yes please! I'll take a large slice! I love that you've included ground walnuts in the sponge. Sounds wonderful.
Puja says
Looks like a great recipe. I love tea cakes.