Delicious Spiced Walnut Coffee Cake Recipe
Ahoy there fellow coffee connoisseurs! Are you looking for a delicious and mouth-watering coffee cake recipe that will leave your taste buds in complete bliss? Look no further, my friends! I present to you my signature Spiced Walnut Coffee Cake recipe!
Coffee and cakes are a match made in heaven. Picture yourself enjoying a steaming hot cup of joe alongside a slice of soft, spiced walnut cake. The aroma alone is enough to make your heart flutter!
With this recipe, not only do you get the warm and comforting flavor of cinnamon walnut crumb, but also the delicate balance of pumpkin pie spice for an added touch of warmth. Plus, the chopped walnuts add a crunchy texture to the cake that elevates it from ordinary to extraordinary.
Did I mention that this cake is incredibly easy to make? No complicated ingredients or techniques involved. Just a few simple steps and voila – you will have a beautiful spiced walnut cake fresh out of the oven.
So what are you waiting for? Whether it’s for a special occasion or just to enjoy with your morning coffee, this spiced walnut coffee cake recipe is guaranteed to be a hit amongst your family and friends. So roll up your sleeves and let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
My dear coffee lover, let me tell you why this Spiced Walnut Coffee Cake recipe is going to be the love of your life. First of all, who doesn’t love a good coffee cake with a generous amount of walnuts? It’s perfect to enjoy with your morning cup of joe or as an afternoon snack to keep your energy levels up.
But what sets this recipe apart from others is the irresistible aroma of pumpkin pie spice that lingers in the air while it bakes in the oven. The blend of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg will warm up your taste buds and make you feel like autumn has arrived.
With each bite, you’ll discover a perfect balance between sweet and nutty flavors that come from light-brown sugar, unsalted butter, and walnuts. The cake is moist, tender, and gives a satisfying crunch with every bite. Trust me; you won’t be able to resist taking seconds.
This spiced walnut coffee cake recipe is versatile too. You can serve it for breakfast or brunch or dress it up for a fancy dessert by pairing it with a dollop of whipped cream or cream cheese frosting. Plus, you can substitute some ingredients to suit your preferences or dietary restrictions without sacrificing flavor.
What I love the most about this recipe is that it’s easy to make. You don’t have to be an experienced baker to achieve perfect results. With simple instructions and common pantry staples, this cake comes together in no time.
Try this Spiced Walnut Coffee Cake recipe once, and I am sure it will become your favorite go-to coffee cake recipe for any occasion.
Ingredient List
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to create your Spiced Walnut Coffee Cake recipe:
For the cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
For the crumb topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- Pinch of salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
For the cream cheese frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- Light olive oil (for greasing)
The Recipe How-To
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with unsalted butter.
Combine the walnuts, granulated sugar, light-brown sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice in a medium bowl. Mix well and set aside.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and ½ teaspoon of salt until combined.
Using an electric mixer, cream the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light-brown sugar in a large bowl until fluffy. Add in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Next, add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients along with 1 cup of buttermilk. Mix until combined. Now, add the remaining dry ingredients and mix again until completely incorporated. (Tip: alternating between wet and dry ingredients when mixing helps to keep your mixture from getting too thick)
Fold in half of the chopped walnuts into the batter.
Evenly spread half of the cake batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle half of the walnut mixture over top. Repeat layering with remaining cake batter followed by remaining walnut mixture.
Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool completely before serving.
(Note: This recipe will produce two cakes if you split it evenly into two 8 inch pans instead of using one 9×13 inch pan)
Substitutions and Variations
Y’all know I love experimenting with my coffee cakes, and this spiced walnut cake recipe is no exception. Here are some variations and substitutions you can try to make it just the way you like it.
First of all, let’s talk about the walnuts. I used chopped walnuts in this recipe to give the cake some texture and nuttiness, but you could easily swap them out for pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts if that’s what you prefer.
If you’re not a fan of pumpkin pie spice, feel free to use your favorite spice blend instead. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves would all work well here. You could even add in a little ginger or cardamom for some extra warmth and complexity.
One thing to note is that this recipe calls for both baking soda and baking powder. If you only have one or the other on hand, you can use the same amount of whichever one you have. However, keep in mind that the texture and rise of the cake may be slightly different depending on which leavener you use.
For a more indulgent twist on this spiced walnut coffee cake, try adding a cream cheese frosting on top. Simply beat together softened cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Spread it over the cooled cake and sprinkle with some extra chopped walnuts for a beautiful finish.
If you want to switch things up completely, try making a pear walnut coffee cake instead. Just swap out the pumpkin pie spice for some cinnamon and add diced pears to the batter along with the walnuts. Or, if apples are more your thing, try an apple spice coffee cake using similar spices.
No matter how you customize this spiced walnut coffee cake recipe, I guarantee it’ll be a hit at any brunch or gathering.
Serving and Pairing
Now, let’s talk about how to serve and pair this delightful spiced walnut coffee cake. One word: YUM! There’s nothing like indulging in a warm, freshly baked slice of coffee cake.
For serving, cut the spiced walnut cake into generous slices and dust them with confectioners’ sugar. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, add a dollop of whipped cream on top of each slice. This will add another level of richness and creaminess to the cake.
As for pairing, there are a few options depending on the time of day and the occasion. For brunch or breakfast, serve this coffee cake alongside a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea. The spiced flavors in the cake will be perfectly complemented by rich, dark coffee or fragrant tea.
If you’re serving this cake as a dessert, then accompany it with a sweet dessert wine such as Muscat or Sauternes. The sweetness of the wine pairs well with the rich flavors in the cake.
Serving this spiced walnut coffee cake can be a fun occasion in itself. Invite friends and family over for an afternoon tea party where you can indulge in delicious treats and enjoy each other’s company. Alternatively, share it with your co-workers during a casual meeting or gathering.
In short, this spiced walnut coffee cake is versatile enough to be enjoyed at any time of day or occasion. With its warm spice flavors and crunchy chopped walnuts, it’s sure to become one of your favorite go-to baked goods for gatherings or just a cozy afternoon at home.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Now that your delicious Spiced Walnut Coffee Cake is prepared and baked, it’s good to know how to store it properly for future snacking.
If you’re not planning on serving the cake right away, let it cool down completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Your yummy cake should stay fresh for up to 3 days. If you’re looking to store it for longer than that, place it in the freezer instead.
If you decided to freeze your Spiced Walnut Coffee Cake, wrap individual slices using plastic wrap and store them together in a resealable bag. Anytime you’re ready for a slice of cake, take out one slice or more and let them thaw at room temperature before reheating them.
To reheat slices of the cake, you can use a microwave or oven, but be careful not to overheat them or they’ll become dry. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and warm your frozen or refrigerated slices until they’re heated through.
For added indulgence, why not add cream cheese frosting on top? It’s easy to make and perfect for enhancing the flavor of this already delectable treat.
With these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy a moist and delectable spiced walnut coffee cake anytime you want!
Tips for Perfect Results
To make the perfect spiced walnut coffee cake, you’ll need to pay attention to every detail. Here are some tips to help you achieve that:
Firstly, it is essential to use fresh ingredients; this will enhance the flavor of your cake. Make sure your butter and milk are at room temperature before starting. This will also help to make the batter creamy and smooth.
Secondly, when measuring flour, use a spoon to fill the measuring cup and level off with a knife or spatula. This will ensure that you don’t add too much flour, which can make your cake heavy and dry.
Another important tip is to combine the dry ingredients well. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt together in a large mixing bowl. This will create an even blend of flavors throughout the batter.
When adding the wet ingredients, mix them slowly and carefully until they are well combined. Avoid overmixing as this can lead to tough cake texture.
The walnuts are an important element of this recipe. Don’t skip them! Chop them coarsely for a nice crunch in every bite of your spiced walnut coffee cake.
For an even more heavenly taste experience, try mixing in some raisins or figs with the walnuts. This will add extra sweetness and flavor layers.
Lastly, after baking your cake at 350°F for about 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean; let it cool down completely before dusting confectioners’ sugar on top.
Keep these tips in mind when making this scrumptious spiced walnut coffee cake recipe, and you’re sure to impress everyone with your amazing baking skills.
Bottom Line
Now that you have my spiced walnut coffee cake recipe in your arsenal of baking tricks, it’s time to get cracking and whip up a batch for your friends and family. I promise this cake will be the cream of the crop and make your taste buds dance with delight.
Cooking is all about experimenting, so don’t be afraid to get creative in the kitchen. You can switch up ingredients depending on what’s in season, use different nuts like pecans or hazelnuts instead of walnuts, and even add a little fruit like figs, applesauce or pear to give it a zingy twist. With this recipe, the possibilities are endless.
Lastly, always remember that baking is an art form and requires patience and precision. Don’t rush through the recipe and take the time to enjoy every step of the process. There’s nothing that compares to the warm feeling you get when you take a bite of a freshly baked spiced walnut coffee cake.
So go on, grab your apron, preheat the oven, and let’s get started on creating some deliciousness. Trust me; your taste buds will thank you. Happy baking!
Spiced Walnut Coffee Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Topping
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 2/3 cups walnuts, coarsely chopped
Cake
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temp
- 1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 -2 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Coat an 8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Topping: In a medium bowl stir together flour, sugars, pumpkin pie spice and salt. With a pastry cutter,cut butter into the mixture. Stir in walnuts. Refrigerate.
- Cake: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpking pie spice and salt. Set aside.
- In another large bowl, beat butter and sugars on medium speed until creamy and blended, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla and beat until smooth.
- On low speed, beat in the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with buttermilk. Beat for 2 minutes.
- Spoon half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle half of the topping over the batter. Spoon remaining batter over topping. Sprinkle remaining topping over top of cake.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 50 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack. Loosen edges with a knife or small spatula. Cut into 12 equal pieces.
- In a small bowl, mix together confectioners' sugar and just enough milk to get a good drizzling consistency. Drizzle over cake squares and allow to set before serving.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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