Mother’s Walnut Cake

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Yield 16 servings

Indulge in our homemade walnut cake! It is a versatile treat perfect for any time of day and elevated with a luscious cream cheese frosting or transformed into a savory delight with sliced apples. It tastes even better when made in advance.

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups ground walnuts
FROSTING:
11 ounces cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup butter, softened
5 to 5-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter, shortening and sugar. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk and vanilla. Beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in ground walnuts.
Pour into 3 greased and floured 9-in. round pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter. Add confectioners' sugar; mix well. Beat in vanilla until smooth. Spread frosting between layers and over the top and side of cake. Sprinkle with walnuts. Refrigerate.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 685 calories, 35g fat (16g saturated fat), 114mg cholesterol, 475mg sodium, 86g carbohydrate (61g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.

Even though Mother baked this tall, beautiful cake often when I was growing up, it was a real treat every time. I like the walnuts in the cake and the frosting. Mother frequently used black walnuts from our trees. —Helen Vail, Glenside, Pennsylvania

Recipe Creator