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Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Dessert

Coffee and Walnut Loaf Cake

Jul 14, 2022 · Written by Dannii Martin · This post may contain affiliate links which earn us commissions if purchases are made · 14 Comments

126 shares
  • 48
Diet: Vegetarian
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Coffee loaf cake with a text title overlay.
Coffee loaf cake with a text title overlay.

This soft and moist Coffee and Walnut Loaf Cake is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. A light and fluffy walnut and coffee cake, smothered in an incredible coffee buttercream frosting. This is one for coffee lovers!

Coffee cake topped with frosting with a slice cut off.

This one bowl coffee cake recipe is so easy to make with some baking staples and although you will find it in most cake shops across the country, why not try making it yourself? This coffee loaf cake is a foolproof recipe and it results in such a light and fluffy cake with lots of crunch from the walnuts.

If you are looking for some other healthy cake recipes, why not try our Healthy Chocolate Muffins, Healthy Chocolate Mug Cake or Gingerbread Cupcakes?

Jump to:
  • Why you will love it
  • Ingredients needed
  • How to make Coffee and Walnut Loaf cake - Step by step
  • Coffee and walnut cupcakes
  • Vegan coffee walnut cake
  • Serving suggestions
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Extra tips
  • More cake recipes
  • Recipe
  • Feedback

Why you will love it

  • A really easy bake - Minimal prep time is involved in making this coffee loaf cake. It's so simple.
  • One for coffee lovers - If you love coffee, then this is one for you! A real rich coffee flavour in the loaf cake and then extra in the coffee buttercream.
  • Just 1 bowl - Less washing up is always a win with us and this coffee and walnut loaf is all mixed in one bowl.

Ingredients needed

All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.
  • Butter - Unsalted butter is our preferred butter for a coffee and walnut loaf.
  • Sugar - We used a dark brown sugar to give it a really rich caramel flavour.
  • Eggs - Fresh is always best and try to use organic or free range.
  • Flour - We used self raising flour which helps the cake to rise. If you only have plain flour (all purpose flour) add 1 tablespoon of baking powder too.
  • Walnuts - This adds so much flavour. You can swap them for pecans if you prefer.
  • Coffee - Where all the flavour comes from in this coffee loaf cake. Use the best quality you can.
  • Icing sugar (powdered sugar) - This is used to make the buttercream.
  • Milk - This helps to loosen up the buttercream.

A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

How to make Coffee and Walnut Loaf cake - Step by step

Prep: Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C(fan)/350°F/Gas 4.
One: Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy.

Two shot collage of butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl, before and after mixing.

Two: Dissolve the coffee in the warm water and mix into the butter/sugar.

Two shot collage of coffee added to the mixture, then mixed in.

Three: Mix in the whisked eggs.

Two shot collage of eggs added to the mixture, then mixed in.

Four: Carefully fold in the flour and then fold in the walnuts.

Two shot collage of flour and walnuts added to the mixture, before and after mixing.

Five: Grease and line the loaf tin. Pour the cake batter into the tin. Cook for 40-45 minutes, until a skewer or toothpick comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Remove from the tin and put onto a wire rack. Allow to cool completely.

Two shot collage of a lined loaf tin filled with the cake batter, then cooked cake.

Six: Cream together the butter and icing sugar, until light and fluffy.

Two shot collage of icing sugar and butter in a bowl, then mixed into butter cream.

Seven: Dissolve the coffee in the warm water and mix into the buttercream, along with the milk.

Coffee added to the butter cream and mixed in.

Eight: Spread the buttercream over the cooled cake and decorate with more walnuts (optional).

Two shot collage of buttercream spread over the cake then crushed walnuts sprinkled on top.

Coffee and walnut cupcakes

If you find it difficult to have just one slice of cake, why not try making cupcakes instead as they are individually portioned. To make 8 cupcakes, follow the recipe up until you would pour it in to a loaf tin. Then divide the mixture between 8 cupcake cases that are in a muffin tin.

Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6 for 18-20 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.

Vegan coffee walnut cake

To make a vegan version of this loaf cake, swap the butter for a vegan margarine and then use an egg alternative. Our favourite egg alternative for baking is a "chia egg". For each egg you need, mix together 1 tablespoon of crushed (in a pestle and mortar) chia seeds and 2 tablespoon water. Leave it in the fridge for 20 minutes.

You can also use half a very ripe banana, mashed, in replacement of each egg needed. However, this will give the cake a very banana flavour.

A slice of coffee and walnut cake cut from a larger cake.

Serving suggestions

We tend to just have a slice of this walnut and coffee cake by itself for an afternoon pick me up, or with a cup or tea of coffee. However, if you want to make this a little more indulgent, then why not serve it with some vanilla ice cream for a little single cream? Frozen yogurt is a delicious addition too.

The cut end of a coffee cake topped with frosting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to store coffee and walnut loaf

Once the cake is cooled completely you can either slice it all up or leave it whole and then put it in an air tight container and store somewhere cool and out of sunlight. It will store for 2-3 days like this, if you can resist it that long.

Can you freeze coffee loaf cake?

Yes, you can store it in the freezer. Slice it and then wrap the slices individually and put them in an air tight container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. Allow to defrost at room temperature fully before serving.

Is coffee and walnut cake gluten free?

If you use gluten free flour and make sure that there is no cross contamination, then this can be gluten free.

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Extra tips

• If your cake starts to look like it is burning on top, cover it in foil and continue cooking until a skewer comes out clean.
• Add some chocolate chips to the mixture for a delicious chocolate coffee combination.
• To ensure that your cake is cooked all the way through and doesn't burn either, use an oven thermometer to make sure it gets to the correct temperature for the recipe.
• Don't over mix the batter once you add the flour and walnuts. This can cause the cake to not rise.
• For some extra flavour, add a pinch of cinnamon to the coffee loaf cake mixture.
• You could make this in to a sandwich cake by slicing it in half and putting some buttercream in between the slices and then more on top.

More cake recipes

  • Chocolate loaf cake on a wooden board.
    Chocolate Loaf Cake
  • Slow cooker chocolate cake in a bowl with a ball of vanilla ice cream.
    Slow Cooker Chocolate Cake
  • An orange drizzle cake cut into slices.
    Orange Drizzle Cake
  • Courgette and lime cake with a slice cut off.
    Courgette and Lime Cake

If you’ve tried this coffee and walnut cake recipe, then let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

Recipe

Coffee Loaf Cake with a slice cut off.

Coffee and Walnut Loaf Cake

By: Dannii Martin
This soft and moist Coffee and Walnut Loaf Cake is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. This is one for coffee lovers!
An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
Vegetarian
4.92 from 25 votes
Pin Print Save recipe Saved!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 40 minutes mins
Total: 50 minutes mins
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 551kcal
Allergens:
An illustration of a carton of milk.
Dairy
An illustration of a cracked egg.
Eggs
An illustration of two ears of wheat.
Gluten
An illustration of four different nuts.
Nuts

Ingredients

For the cake:

  • 225 g (1 cups) Butter
  • 225 g (1 cups) Dark brown sugar
  • 4 Eggs - whisked
  • 225 g (1.75 cups) Self-raising flour
  • 60 g (0.5 cups) Walnuts - chopped
  • 2 tablespoon Instant coffee
  • 2 tablespoon warm water

For the icing:

  • 200 g (1.66 cups) Icing sugar
  • 100 g (0.5 cups) Butter
  • 2 tablespoon Whole milk
  • 2 tablespoon Instant coffee
  • 2 tablespoon warm water
  • Walnuts - to decorate

Instructions

To make the cake:

  • Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C(fan)/350°f/Gas 4.
  • Cream 225 g Butter and 225 g Dark brown sugar together until fluffy.
  • Dissolve 2 tablespoon Instant coffee in 2 tablespoon warm water and mix into the butter/sugar.
  • Mix in 4 Eggs.
  • Carefully fold in 225 g Self-raising flour and then fold in 60 g Walnuts.
  • Grease and line the loaf tin. Pour the cake batter into the tin. Cook for 40-45 minutes, until a skewer or toothpick comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Remove from the tin and put onto a wire rack. Allow to cool completely.

To make the icing:

  • Cream together 100 g Butter and 200 g Icing sugar, until light and fluffy.
  • Dissolve 2 tablespoon Instant coffee in 2 tablespoon warm water and mix into the buttercream, along with 2 tablespoon Whole milk.
  • Spread the buttercream over the cooled cake and decorate with more Walnuts (optional).

Recipe Tips

  • If your cake starts to look like it is burning on top, cover it in foil and continue cooking until a skewer comes out clean.
  • Add some chocolate chips to the mixture for a delicious chocolate coffee combination.
  • To ensure that your cake is cooked all the way through and doesn't burn either, use an oven thermometer to make sure it gets to the correct temperature for the recipe.
  • Don't over mix the batter once you add the flour and walnuts. This can cause the cake to not rise.
  • For some extra flavour, add a pinch of cinnamon to the coffee loaf cake mixture.
  • You could make this in to a sandwich cake by slicing it in half and putting some buttercream in between the slices and then more on top.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 551kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 136mg | Sodium: 243mg | Potassium: 188mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 914IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.

 

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Comments

  1. Shadi says

    July 18, 2022 at 6:38 pm

    5 stars
    Love how easy this recipe is. Can’t wait to try it this weekend.thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
  2. Kathryn says

    July 18, 2022 at 5:32 pm

    5 stars
    This chocolate walnut loaf cake is so delicious and we loved it for both breakfast and dessert! It goes perfectly with a cup of coffee!

    Reply
  3. Kelley says

    July 18, 2022 at 4:59 pm

    5 stars
    This bread was amazing! The frosting was my favorite!

    Reply
  4. Tayler Ross says

    July 18, 2022 at 4:36 pm

    5 stars
    I made this loaf cake over the weekend and it was a huge hit at the party I brought it to. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

    Reply
  5. Ieva says

    July 18, 2022 at 4:10 pm

    5 stars
    I was looking for an easy cake recipe to make with ingredients I already had at home and came across this lovely loaf cake recipe! Just had a slice with tea and I have to say, it's as delicious as it is to make! The coffee flavoured icing made this cake for me!

    Reply
  6. Kelley says

    July 18, 2022 at 4:10 pm

    5 stars
    This was so easy to make and delicious! Thank you!

    Reply
  7. Dana says

    July 18, 2022 at 3:45 pm

    5 stars
    This was so good and that icing was *everything*! Easy recipe to follow and so darn tasty.

    Reply
  8. Liz says

    July 18, 2022 at 3:16 pm

    5 stars
    Ohh this cake is SO good for a coffee lover like me! The walnuts really add the perfect texture, too.

    Reply
  9. Michelle says

    July 18, 2022 at 2:42 pm

    5 stars
    I'd been looking for a coffee walnut loaf cake and this recipe was amazing! Thanks for sharing it! It will be on repeat!

    Reply
  10. Toni says

    July 18, 2022 at 1:49 pm

    5 stars
    This turned out really good!! My whole family loved it! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  11. Beth says

    July 18, 2022 at 1:42 pm

    5 stars
    The coffee buttercream looks incredible! I think I could eat that straight off the spoon.

    Reply
  12. Vidya Narayan says

    July 18, 2022 at 1:36 pm

    5 stars
    The cake is incredibly moist and super delicious! I don't think I can stop at 1-2 slices.. need more!

    Reply
  13. Gina Abernathy says

    July 18, 2022 at 1:18 pm

    5 stars
    Yes! This is my kind of food and the buttercream is fabulous!

    Reply
  14. Mahy says

    July 18, 2022 at 12:53 pm

    5 stars
    I love walnuts in a cake. There is just so much flavor in adding them. This will definitely be one of my favorite recipes!

    Reply
4.92 from 25 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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