Name: Nistásimo Melachrinó (Lenten Walnut Cake)
Ingredients: 2 cups flour; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 3/4 cup sugar; 1-1/4 cups fresh orange juice; 1-1/2 tsp baking soda; 2 tsp fresh lemon juice; 1-1/2 tsp cinnamon; 1/4 tsp nutmeg; 1/2 tsp ground cloves; 1/4 tsp ground coriander seed; 3/4 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans (or almonds, or a mixture)); 3/4 cup dates – or raisins (or even chopped fig); 2 Tablespoons grated orange peel

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Nistásimo Melachrinó (Lenten Walnut Cake)

This recipe makes a 9"x9" square cake. For Coffee Hour I make the recipe double and bake in a 9"x13" pan, but the cake is somewhat deeper. You could make two squares with a double recipe.

Course: Dessert

Servings: square cake

Ingredients

Base ingredients

2 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup sugar
1-1/4 cups fresh orange juice
1-1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp fresh lemon juice

Add-ins

1-1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground coriander seed
3/4 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans or almonds, or a mixture)
3/4 cup dates – or raisins or even chopped fig
2 Tablespoons grated orange peel

Instructions

In bowl of electric mixer, combine flour, salt and spices. Add oil to flour mixture and beat gently.
Add in sugar and orange juice, beating on low speed until blended, then beat 5 minutes. Add nuts, raisins and orange peel; mix well.
Dissolve baking soda in lemon juice, and add immediately to batter. Blend well, and pour batter into greased cake pan. Bake at 350º for 40-45 minutes, perhaps longer if the cake is deep. Cake is done when a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
Cool before cutting. This cake can be dusted with powdered sugar or “frosted” with warm orange marmalade.