Mom's walnut cake

1 Cake

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
cupButter (3 sticks), divided
6largesEggs, separated
teaspoonBaking soda
cupButtermilk
1teaspoonVanilla extract (or more)
½teaspoonSalt
1cupSugar, granulated
cupConfectioner's sugar (4x)
cupFlour
Walnut meats
2cupsLight brown sugar (1 box)
½cupButter
cupWater, plus 2 T
2tablespoonsKaro

Directions

CAKE

SYRUP

Separate eggs; place all the whites in a large bowl, place 3 yolks in one small container, and the other 3 in another. Grease bundt pan (or small tube pan and a loaf pan). Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Soften ½ C butter in a large bowl; add confectioner's sugar and beat until thoroughly mixed. Add 3 egg yolks, one after another, and continue beating. Add vanilla and mix till thoroughly blended, scraping sides with spatula if necessary.

Measure flour into a small bowl and stir in baking soda. Add to butter/sugar mixture alternately with buttermilk in 4 steps, beginning and ending with the flour.

Sprinkle about ½ t salt on egg whites. Beat till stiff, but not dry. Fold egg whites into batter.

TOPPING: Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat; add 1 T of pineapple juice and the sugar. Add water and Karo and cook at a high, rolling boil for about 3 minutes; stir in 2 T hot water. Pour syrup into pan, pave bottom with walnuts. Pour in batter and bake at 350 degrees F. about 30-35 minutes, until done. Drizzle cooled cake with walnut liqueur.

Try substituting almonds and Amaretto! (a la Cafe Espresso)