Shëndetli
HB-2073 · Hand-built original · Albanian
This traditional honey-and-walnut cake pairs a soft, fragrant sponge with a glossy sugar syrup that soaks right through every bite. Warm, nutty and generously sweet, it is the kind of dessert brought out for special occasions and family gatherings. With just a handful of pantry staples you can bring a taste of Albanian hospitality straight to your own kitchen.
AlbanianDessert1–2 servings2221 kcalVegetarianHigh Fiber
Main ingredient: flour
Pairs well with: coffee, vanilla ice cream, fresh berries, whipped cream
Servings:1quantities adjust to match
Ingredients
- 7 oz plain flour
- 3½ oz ground walnuts, plus chopped walnuts to decorate
- 2 eggs
- 3½ oz honey, for the batter
- 3½ oz sugar
- 3½ oz butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch of salt
- For the syrup: 13½ Tbsp water
- 5¼ oz sugar, for the syrup
- 1 to 2 tablespoons honey, for the syrup
Method
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 7¾ in (8-inch) square or round cake tin.
- Whisk the eggs, sugar and honey together until pale and thick. Whisk in the melted butter.
- Fold in the flour, baking powder and salt, then fold in the ground walnuts to make a thick batter.
- Spread the batter in the tin and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until golden and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.
- Meanwhile, simmer the water, syrup sugar and honey together for 5 minutes to make the syrup. Keep warm.
- Cut the warm cake into diamonds or squares in the tin and slowly pour the warm syrup over it, letting it soak in.
- Leave to cool and absorb for at least 30 minutes, then decorate each piece with chopped walnuts and serve.
Nutrition (per serving, where published)
2221 kcalCalories
34.1 gProtein
505.2 gCarbs
12.5 gFat
3.4 gSaturates
7.3 gFibre
82.4 gSugars
814 mgSodium
372 mgCholesterol
731 mgPotassium
389 mgCalcium
12 mgIron
1 servingServing
Estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data