The best coffee walnut sandwich cake, a classic British afternoon tea cake, layers of soft and fluffy coffee cake with chopped walnuts throughout, adds a great flavor and texture, frosted with coffee cream cheese frosting. A pure delight to eat!
Coffee Walnut Cake! What a wonderful cake and the coffee cream cheese frosting sandwiched in between the cake layers just adds a prefect finish!
For this recipe, I've used one of my basic cake recipes and adjusted it to get a lovely fluffy texture and accommodate the walnuts inside the cake.
It is a light, fluffy sponge cake, a bit like eating clouds, and the flavor is very delicious. The addition of a simple coffee cream cheese frosting adds another dimension to each bite, so all in all, this is a very nice eat!
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... and of course, it goes perfectly with a lovely cup of tea or coffee.
This coffee walnut cake uses 2 round cake tins, which means I can make a sandwich cake with the frosting in between the layers and then on top too. However, this cake will also cook very well as a loaf cake, so if you prefer that, all you need to do is take note of the longer cook time.
Otherwise, everything else stays the same.
The cake itself is not sickly sweet, because the frosting has cream cheese, which adds a slight sourness, which goes well against the sugar. If you do have a particularly sweet tooth, I would suggest you taste the frosting as you are making it and add a little more sugar to your taste.
Check out our handy Oven Temperature Conversion Guide!
This coffee walnut cake will also freeze very well, so if you needed to make ahead, or perhaps you wanted to freeze in portions, then all you need to do is wrap it very well in some parchment and then airtight in a zip bag and simply defrost to room temperature when you wish to eat it.
If you love walnuts, check out our delicious Walnut Butter Cookies. They also would be great if you're hosting an afternoon tea party!
How do you put coffee in a cake?
The recipe is very similar to a traditional sponge type cake, so we have the regular ingredients, flour, butter, sugar, and eggs. Then we infuse some delicious coffee flavor into the cake and there you have a coffee-flavored cake.
The simplest way to make a cake coffee flavored is to use instant coffee, as we have done in this recipe, and add it to the cake batter.
What can I use instead of instant coffee in a recipe?
You may want to use something else instead of instant coffee. You can use a finely ground espresso. Make sure it is very fine ground, so that the grains don't create a crunchy grainy texture in the cake.
If you make freshly brewed coffee, make it very strong and drop the milk quantity in the recipe down to ½ cup and use ¼ cup of your very strong brewed coffee.
I don't drink instant coffee at home, however, I buy the small individual sachets of instant coffee from the supermarket. I use those for baking as they're convenient to have in my store cupboard.
So let's see how to make this easy coffee walnut cake recipe! It's by far the best coffee walnut cake recipe I know!
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
18 minutes OR 1 hr for a loaf pan
Yield
8 Persons
Ingredients
The Cake
225 g or 1 ¾ cups Plain / All purpose flour (sieved)
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
175 g or ¾ cup softened butter
200 g or 1 cup of regular sugar
150 ml or ⅔ cup of Milk
2 Large eggs (lightly beaten)
4 teaspoons of coffee granules dissolved in 1 Tablespoon hot water.
140g or 1 Cup of walnuts
The frosting
200g or 8 oz cream cheese
100g or 3 & ½ oz butter
3 Tbsp regular sugar
1 Tbsp coffee granules dissolved in 2 teaspoons hot water
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 170C, 325F. Grease and lightly flour two 8-inch or 20 cm loose-bottomed round cake tins. I always like to place a disc of parchment in the base of each tin so the cake comes out very easily. You can also use our easy pan release recipe if you don't have any parchment paper.
2. Sift flour, salt, and baking powder.
Crush the walnuts. Make sure the pieces are NO LARGER than pea size. Any bigger and they will sink to the bottom during baking.
NOTE: save a few whole walnuts for decorating the top if you wish.
I find it easiest to put the walnuts in a back and use the end of a rolling pin and bash them until I get the size of crumb I want
3. Lightly beat eggs in a small bowl. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
** NOTE: Creaming the butter and sugar is VERY important to get a fluffy texture to the cake crumb. Please make sure you use your mixer and cream until you see the color of the butter turn almost white. It will take you around 5 - 7 minutes for this to happen, and it is worth the extra time taken!
4. Add egg mixture, a little at a time to the batter. Then add the coffee mixture, half the flour, then milk, then the rest of flour. Add the walnuts and make sure they are well combined and distributed.
5. Transfer the cake mixture to the greased and lined cake pans then place in the oven for about 18 minutes. Check to see if it is cooked, using a skewer.
If using a loaf pan, keep the same temperature, and bake for about 1 hour to 1 hr 10 minutes. Again, check for doneness.
6. Allow the cakes to rest for 2 minutes in their pans,
then remove from pans and place UPSIDE DOWN on a cooling rack. This will help to keep them level when you come to sandwich them together.
Allow to COMPLETELY cool before frosting.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
7. Place the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat until pale and fluffy. This will take around 3 minutes.
Add the cream cheese and coffee mixture and beat until smooth.
At this point, taste the frosting for sweetness. If you want more, just add some more sugar, half a tablespoon at a time until it is to your liking.
NOTE: If your cake is still warm, refrigerate the frosting until you are ready to use.
At this point, if your cake has cooled, place one cake on a serving plate, frost the top then place the other cake on top of the frosting
Frost the top and the sides if you wish to. Then decorate with a few whole walnuts or other decorations of your choice.
You can simply spread the frosting or use a piping bag if you would like a pretty pattern. You choose!
You can refrigerate the cake until ready or serve it immediately.
Make up a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy!
We'd love to hear from you and what you thought of our post. Did you make any changes or add some other goodies? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading and happy cooking!
Recipe
Coffee Walnut Sandwich Cake
Coffee Walnut Sandwich Cake.
The best coffee and walnut cake, a classic British afternoon tea cake, layers of soft and fluffy coffee cake with chopped walnuts throughout, adds a great flavor and texture, frosted with coffee cream cheese frosting. A pure delight to eat!
Ingredients
The Cake
- 225 g or 1 ¾ cups Plain / All purpose flour (sieved)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 175 g or ¾ cup softened butter
- 200 g or 1 cup of regular sugar
- 150 ml or ⅔ cup of Milk
- 2 Large eggs (lightly beaten)
- 4 teaspoons of coffee granules dissolved in 1 Tablespoon hot water.
- 140g or 1 Cup of walnuts
The frosting
- 200g or 8 oz cream cheese
- 100g or 3 & ½ oz butter
- 3 Tbsp regular sugar
- 1 Tbsp coffee granules dissolved in 2 teaspoons hot water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 170c, 325F. Grease and lightly flour two 8-inch or 20 cm loose-bottomed round cake tins. I always like to place a disc of parchment in the base of each tin so the cake comes out very easily. You can also use our easy pan release recipe if you don't have any parchment paper.
- Sift flour, salt, and baking powder.
Crush the walnuts. Make sure the pieces are NO LARGER than pea size. Any bigger and they will sink to the bottom during baking.
NOTE: save a few whole walnuts for decorating the top if you wish.
I find it easiest to put the walnuts in a bag and use the end of a rolling pin and bash them until I get the size of crumb I want - Lightly beat eggs in a small bowl. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Please make sure you use your mixer and cream until you see the color of the butter turn almost white. It will take you around 5 - 7 minutes for this to happen, and it is worth the extra time taken! - Add egg mixture, a little at a time to the batter. Then add the coffee mixture, half the flour, then milk, then the rest of the flour. Add the walnuts and make sure they are well combined and distributed.
- Transfer the cake mixture to the greased and lined cake pans then place in the oven for about 18 minutes. Check to see if it is cooked, using a skewer.
If using a loaf pan, keep the same temperature, and bake for about 1 hour to 1 hr 10 minutes. Again, check for doneness. - Allow the cakes to rest for 2 minutes in their pans, then remove from the pans and place UPSIDE DOWN on a cooling rack. This will help to keep them level when you come to sandwich them together. Allow to COMPLETELY cool before frosting.
- Whilst the cake is cooling, make the frosting as follows:
- Place the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat until pale and fluffy. This will take around 3 minutes.
- Add the cream cheese and coffee mixture and beat until smooth.
At this point, taste the frosting for sweetness. If you want more, just add some more sugar, half a tablespoon at a time until it is to your liking.
NOTE: If your cake is still warm, refrigerate the frosting until you are ready to use. - At this point, if your cake has cooled, place one cake on a serving plate, frost the top then place the other cake on top of the frosting.
- Frost the top and the sides if you wish to. Then decorate with a few whole walnuts or other decorations of your choice.
You can simply spread the frosting or use a piping bag if you would like a pretty pattern. You choose! - You can refrigerate the cake until ready or serve immediately.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 621Total Fat: 42gSaturated Fat: 21gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 134mgSodium: 477mgCarbohydrates: 56gFiber: 2gSugar: 32gProtein: 9g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate
If you love baking, try out this delicious Blueberry & Lemon Crumble Cake. It's a really easy recipe and you can serve these alongside an Afternoon Tea with your Coffee Walnut Cake.
English Afternoon Tea Ideas
Here's a selection of delicious recipes you can make for an English Afternoon Tea
Mini Almond Pastries.
These Mini Almond Pastries have a deliciously smooth, sweet, almond paste filling and are wrapped in crispy, light puff pastry. Quick and easy to make, and perfect for a tea time treat.
Classic English Cherry Scones. Quick and Easy to make, moist, light, and fluffy! Perfect for High Tea or Afternoon Tea. This is a very popular recipe and for those searching for a good, reliable English scone recipe, this won't disappoint!
Bara brith is a traditional Welsh tea bread flavored with tea, dried fruits and spices. Often served sliced with a spread of butter. Perfect as a tea time snack.
Easy Sesame Brown Sugar French Palmier Cookies, AKA Elephant Ears. These are a very easy to make crispy puff pastry cookie, filled with sesame seeds and brown sugar. Great for the holidays!
Cream Filled Chocolate or Caramel Eclairs, easy to make and great for a tea party!
Easy lemon mousse recipe, a delicious creamy chilled dessert made with 3 basic ingredients, takes minutes to make and great for eating on it’s own or to use as a topping on cakes and trifles too!
Classic Victoria Sponge Cake.
Easy recipe for how to make a classic Victoria sponge Cake, a popular British cake, traditionally eaten at afternoon tea.
Peach Pound Cake with Raspberry Swirl. A delicious recipe bursting with sweet peaches and a tangy raspberry swirl running through. Soft, moist and perfect with a morning coffee or to take to friends! If you are a fan of pound cakes and peaches, then this one is for you.
Lemon and poppyseed thins are a very thin, crisp, buttery cookie, easy to make with a crunchy, caramelized texture. Delicious with a coffee or tea.
Strawberries and Cream Cheesecake Hearts, a creamy no bake fruity cheesecake recipe using fresh strawberries in the filling and topping. A great dessert for Valentine's Day or a Summer party.
Strawberry and Lemon Angel Food Cake. Strawberry and lemon angel food cake is a light and fluffy sponge type cake, sandwiched with lemon whipped cream and fresh strawberries. An easy recipe for a no fat cake. The best homemade angel cake recipe, perfect for dessert
Easy Vanilla Slices. Creamy custard sandwiched between sheets of crispy puff pastry make for a nice chilled treat perfect for any occasion.
Sausage and Red Onion Chutney Rolls are so delicious! Easy to make, freezer friendly and great for snacks, lunchboxes and parties!
Spinach and Feta Galette, a delicious open pastry savory pie filled with Greek feta cheese creamy spinach and tomatoes, then baked until set. Great served warm or chilled.
Delicious Shrimp or Salmon Vol Au Vents, Mini Puff Pastry Cups. These are very easy to make and great for parties as canapes, appetizers, and snacks. Perfect to make ahead too!
Classic Lemon Tart, Tarte Au Citron.
A delicious tangy lemon tart, made from scratch using buttery pastry and filled with a creamy rich fresh lemon filling
Easy English Tiffin is a delicious no-bake British colonial recipe, made of chocolate, crushed cookies, syrup, and raisins, often served at English afternoon tea.
Traditional English Tea Loaf
Delicious tea-soaked dried fruits fill this soft, moist, sweet bread. Traditionally served with a spread of butter alongside afternoon tea.
Coconut Tarts! These are a wonderful little tart, filled with a moist coconut egg custard filling. Great for the family and if you're making these for a party, be sure to make plenty! Freezer friendly too!
Classic English Scones.
Quick and Easy to make moist, light, and fluffy! Step by step instructions to make perfect scones. Serve for High Tea or Afternoon Tea
How To Make Orange Or Clementine Curd. Orange or clementine curd is a sweet, thick condiment, easy to make from scratch. Using just four ingredients, this recipe comes together quickly on your stovetop. Use it anything from scones for breakfast to desserts.
Classic English Rhubarb Scones. Quick and Easy to make, moist, light, and fluffy! Perfect for High Tea or Afternoon Tea. This is a very popular recipe and for those searching for a good, reliable English scone recipe, this won't disappoint!
Classic English Strawberry Scones. Quick and Easy to make, moist, light, and fluffy! Perfect for High Tea or Afternoon Tea. This is a very popular recipe and for those searching for a good, reliable English scone recipe, this won't disappoint!