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Korean Hodu-gwaja, plated and ready to serve

Korean Hodu-gwaja, Walnut Cakes

Hodu-gwaja are bite-size, walnut-shaped cakes with a piece of walnut baked inside, sold warm in paper bags at train stations and highway rest stops. This keto version uses an almond-flour batter and a sweet cream cheese filling in place of red bean paste. A cake-pop maker or mini muffin tin works if you do not have walnut molds.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Korean
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 230kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup blanched almond flour
  • 1/4 cup allulose
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 tablespoons butter melted
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Filling: 3 ounces cream cheese, softened, mixed with 1 tablespoon allulose
  • 1/2 cup walnut pieces

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C), or heat a walnut-cake mold or cake-pop maker. Grease well.
  • Whisk the almond flour, allulose, baking powder and salt. Add the eggs, butter, cream and vanilla and whisk into a smooth, thick batter.
  • Fill each mold or mini muffin cup halfway with batter. Add a small piece of walnut and 1/2 teaspoon of the cream cheese filling, then cover with a little more batter.
  • Bake for 14 to 16 minutes (or cook in the mold according to its instructions), until golden and springy.
  • Cool for 5 minutes before removing. Serve warm.

Notes

Mini muffin tins make round cakes rather than walnut shapes, but the flavor is the same. Do not overfill the molds, or the filling will leak out.
Chef's Tip: Toast the walnut pieces in a dry pan first. It deepens their flavor and keeps them crunchy inside the cake.
Keto Swap: Hodu-gwaja are traditionally made with wheat flour, sugar and sweet red bean paste. Almond flour, allulose and a sweet cream cheese center replace them.
Success Tip: These travel well in a lunchbox or a paper bag for road trips, just like the real thing.
Nutrition is calculated from the ingredients and is an estimate per serving. Net carbs exclude fiber and allulose.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 230kcal | Protein: 6g | Fat: 22g | Fiber: 1.9g
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