Buttercream Cake with Walnut Kernels

Ingredients

• 5 eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• 120 g sugar
• 1 packet vanilla sugar
• 100 g flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp Cornstarch
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp Baking powder
• 60 g walnuts
• 2 egg yolks
• 60 g cornstarch
• 500 ml milk
• 250 g softened butter
• 100 g powdered sugar
• 3 tbsp walnut kernels
• 1 tbsp honey

Instructions

1. 1.

   Preheat the oven; electric stove: 180°C, fan: 160°C.

2. 2.

   Separate the eggs and beat the whites with salt until stiff. When the mixture starts to firm, gradually add half of the sugar and vanilla sugar while continuing to beat.

3. 3.

   Then whisk the yolks with the remaining sugar until pale and frothy. Add 3-4 tbsp hot water while beating, sift in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cocoa powder, and cornstarch; mix, then fold in the beaten whites gently with a whisk.

4. 4.

   Line a springform pan with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top. Bake on the lower rack of the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes (do the toothpick test).

5. 5.

   Let the baked cake sit briefly in the pan, then remove it and let it cool or rest overnight at least a few hours.

6. 6.

   For the filling, combine the walnuts with the yolks, cornstarch, and some cold milk in a pot. Then stir in the remaining milk.

7. 7.

   Heat constantly while stirring; allow to rise once (do not boil!), take off the heat immediately and let cool.

8. 8.

   During cooling stir frequently to prevent skin from forming.

9. 9.

   Cut the sponge into three layers using a string or long knife.

10. 10.

    Beat the butter with powdered sugar until creamy (about 10-15 minutes) and fold in the fully cooled walnut cream spoonfuls at a time.

11. 11.

    Spread two of the three cake layers with slightly more than half of the cream, stack all layers. Cover the entire cake with the remaining cream. Smooth the edge and spread the surface loosely. Chill for at least 2 hours.

12. 12.

    Meanwhile, toast the walnut kernels in a pan over medium heat without fat, add honey, let caramelize slightly, cool, and use to decorate the cake before serving.