Black Walnut Layer Cake

Name: Black Walnut Layer Cake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 16 servings.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1/2 cup shortening; 2 cups sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 4 large eggs, room temperature; 3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1-1/2 cups buttermilk; 1-1/4 cups finely chopped black or English walnuts; FROSTING:; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar; 1 to 3 tablespoons buttermilk; Additional black walnuts; Thin orange slices, optional

My sister gave me the recipe for this beautiful cake years ago. The thin layer of frosting spread on the outside gives it a chic modern look. —Lynn Glaze, Warren, Ohio

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 large eggs, room temperature
3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups buttermilk
1-1/4 cups finely chopped black or English walnuts
FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 to 3 tablespoons buttermilk
Additional black walnuts
Thin orange slices, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of three greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease parchment.
Cream butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating after each addition. Fold in walnuts.
Transfer to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely.
For frosting, beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and enough buttermilk to reach spreading consistency.
Spread 1 cup frosting between cake layers. Spread top of cake with an additional 1 cup frosting. Spread remaining frosting in a thin layer over side of cake. Top with additional walnuts and, if desired, orange slices.