Walnut cake fell apart - help!

[dimi_pat]

I found an old recipe for Greek walnut cake in my family's recipe files. Something had spilled on it, it was written in pencil, and I couldn't read the writing that well. So, I cross referenced the recipe with recipes I found online.

Well, the cake didn't hold together. It was crumbly and completely fell apart when I put my fork through it.

Although I would like to know why, I think my best way out of this situation is to try again with a foolproof recipe I know WON'T fall apart, and then maybe I can reverse engineer what happened and rewrite my family recipe! Any suggestions?

 

[PemiKanavos]

I too am curious to why your Karthopita -walnut cake crumbled.
Many things can cause a karithopita to come out crumbly. However, it’s usually an issue of too much flour, too little fat, or or under mixing of the sugar and eggs (at least 8-10 min). Also some other problems include overbaking, using the wrong type of flour, or using an un-calibrated oven.
And last but not least , the opening of the oven while baking.

 

[dimi_pat]

I too am curious to why your Karthopita -walnut cake crumbled.
Many things can cause a karithopita to come out crumbly. However, it’s usually an issue of too much flour, too little fat, or or under mixing of the sugar and eggs (at least 8-10 min). Also some other problems include overbaking, using the wrong type of flour, or using an un-calibrated oven.
And last but not least , the opening of the oven while baking.

I think it might be too little fat and a bit too much flour - I will try some tweaks and check back in. Thank you, Pemi!

 

[k_tsoukalas]

So, have you considered that maybe the dough was too dry? I suggest finding a recipe that you know is foolproof and making that, and then comparing notes with your own family recipe. It's possible that you can't fully read the old recipe?