Subtle, sophisticated
IT’S not every day we come across a cake that’s delicious and sophisticated but also easy to make. At Avenue in Manhattan Beach, chef Christian Shaffer turns out a luscious golden walnut cake. Toasted walnuts are suspended in a tender-crumbed cake that’s subtly flavored with walnut oil and glazed with oloroso sherry.
“The cake is awesome,” says staff writer Amy Scattergood. “It is a terrific dessert, minimalist, not too sweet. Perfect with just strong coffee. I took some home for breakfast.”
Walnut cake
Total time: About 1 hour, 20 minutes
Servings: 8 to 10
Note: From Avenue restaurant chef-owner Christian Shaffer.
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
3 eggs
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup walnut oil
1/3 cup Riesling wine
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup flour
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 vanilla bean
1/4 cup oloroso sherry
1/4 cup powdered sugar, packed, plus additional for sprinkling
1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven until they are browned and fragrant, about 15 minutes. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, egg yolk, oil and wine; set aside. In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, flour and salt, and sift in the baking powder. Stir to combine, then slowly add the egg mixture. Stir until smooth. Fold in the walnuts.
3. Pour the batter into a buttered and floured 9-inch cake pan. Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack, then carefully transfer to a serving plate or cake stand.
4. To make the glaze, split the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape out the beans with the back of a knife. Discard the bean pod. In a small saucepan, combine the sherry, powdered sugar and vanilla bean seeds. Heat over medium heat just until the sugar is dissolved. Strain.
5. Prick small holes in the top of the cake with a fork. Pour warm glaze over the cake. Sprinkle with sifted powdered sugar.
Each of 10 servings: 330 calories; 5 grams protein; 39 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram fiber; 17 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 84 mg. cholesterol; 149 mg. sodium.
