Monday 10 August 2015

Coffee and Walnut cake

Coffee and walnut cake Mary Berry Great British Bake Off GBBO
This is the cake Mr JibberJabber has been waiting 17 years for me to make for him. The simple reason I have never baked this classic cake before is simply because I hate coffee – the taste, the smell, everything. Of course the reason I finally crumbled was it the first technical challenge in this series of Great British Bake Off. I didn't need to worry if all of this cake was going to be consumed because it was taken off to Mr JibberJabber's running group and as everybody knows the favourite fuel of runners and cyclists is cake.

Unlike Mary Berry's version this one doesn't have an all-over frosting. I've used a coffee buttercream to fill and top the cake. If you want to cover it all then double the recipe. I used golden icing sugar as it has a naturally off-white colour but standard white icing sugar would be fine. Like Paul Hollywood's instructions make sure you chop the walnuts up quite small. Although I didn't try any of this cake I could see walnuts at the top of the cake so I know they didn't all sink to the bottom! As they say the proof is in the eating and Mr JibberJabber scoffed down three slices of this cake and he isn't a big cake eater. I have been left with just crumbs and instructions to make it again soon!


Ingredients

4 Large eggs at room temperature
1 tbsp (15ml)Instant coffee dissolved in 1 tbsp (15ml) boiling water
8oz (225g) Self raising flour
2 tsp (10ml) Baking powder
8oz (225g) Unsalted butter, softened or baking spread
8oz (225g) Soft light brown or light muscovado sugar
3½ oz (100g) Walnuts, chopped finely
2 tbsp (30ml) Maple syrup

Buttercream filling and topping

4oz (115g) Unsalted butter, softened
9oz (250g) Icing sugar
2 tbsp (30ml) Instant coffee dissolved in 2 tbsp (30ml) boiling water
9 Walnut halves

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/Gas mark 4.
2. In a large bowl beat the eggs lightly and then pour in the coffee and stir well.
3. Add all the other ingredients and beat well until the mixture has all been combined.
4. Spoon the mixture evenly between the two prepared tins and bake for 25 minutes until well risen and springy to the touch.
5. Leave to cool in the tins for a few minutes before turning out and leaving to cool on wire racks.
6. Once the cakes have completely cooled make the buttercream.
7. In a large bowl beat the butter well and then add the icing sugar and coffee. Continue to beat well until light and creamy.
8. Assemble the cakes by spreading half of the buttercream on top of one of the layers.
9. Place the second layer on top ensuring the flat side is showing on top.
10. Spread the rest of the buttercream over the top and place the walnuts around the edge and in the middle.

15 comments:

  1. It's one of my favourite cake too, it looks gorgeous x

    ReplyDelete
  2. this looks lovely - perfect looking sponges and such a gorgeous colour. i am not surprised that your hubby ate so much in one sitting lol
    thank you for linking up x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Coffee and walnut is one of my favourites! It looks delicious and not as difficult as I thought it would be. I've never made one before but might give this recipe a go! Can't believe he waiting 17 years - well worth the wait though :) #tastytuesdays

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't do difficult! Good things come to those who wait!

      Delete
  4. Yum, I love a classic coffee and walnut cake, so good

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am with you on the coffee. At least its not so bad in cake. This looks lovely

    ReplyDelete
  6. An excellent classic - looks really lovely. Thanks for linking to #cookblogshare

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looks like a great bake, hope it was yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am with you with not liking coffee! I have been asked a few times to make a coffee cake but have never actually given in. After seeing this I think I might actually crumble and make it. I might even be brave and try a tiny piece to see what it's like!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I hope hubby enjoyed it, looks like a fantastic coffee and walnut cake. Me and my OH are the opposite way round and he's the coffee hater so I rarely get to bake with it. Thanks for sharing with #BakeoftheWeek :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. How can you not love coffee and walnut cake, it's one of my favourites. I simply cannot resist having a slice if there's one anywhere near me! Your version looks and sounds delicious. #CookBlogShare

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh wow! I love coffee and walnut cake! This looks absolutely delicious, I bet the hubby loved having it! Great to see you at #CookBlogShare x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your cake has really made me yearn for a coffee & walnut cake - Just one of the best cake tastes ever. Thanks for joining in with #Bakeoftheweek x

    ReplyDelete
  13. Husband loves this, yours looks amazing. Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays x

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate your comments. If you have any tips, tricks or tweaks please pass them on!