Coffee and Walnut Cake

Makes: 12 slices; Cals per slice:  365

Ingredients:
225g (8oz) self-raising flour;
5ml (1 tsp) baking powder
225g (8oz) caster sugar
225g (8oz) soft margarine or butter
30ml (2 tbsp) coffee essence or strong black coffee

Icing:
175g (6oz) unsalted butter
350g (12oz) icing sugar
30ml (2 tbsp) coffee essence or strong black coffee

Walnut halves to decorate

Method:

  • Sift 225g (8oz) self-raising flour and 5ml (1 tsp) baking powder into a large bowl.  Add 225g (8oz) each caster sugar and soft margarine or butter, and 30ml (2 tbsp) coffee essence or strong black coffee.
  • Beat with an electric whisk until mixture is pale and creamy.  Divide between 2 20cm (8 in) round, greased and base lined cake tins.  Level surfaces with a palette knife.
  • Bake in a preheated oven at 190oC, 375oF, Gas 5 for 25-30 mins until risen, golden and firm to the touch.  Leave in the tins for 5 mins, then turn out on to a cooling rack and leave to cool completely.
  • To make the icing, place 175g (6oz) unsalted butter in a bowl and beat until soft.  Gradually beat in 350g (12oz) icing sugar and 30ml (2 tbsp) coffee essence or strong black coffee until smooth.
  • Sandwich the two cakes together with a quarter of the icing and spread the remainder over the top and sides of the cake.  Decorate with walnut halves.

Tip:  To freeze cake in slices, place greaseproof paper between each slice, then wrap whole cake in foil or place in a freezer-proof container.  Each slice will take about 40 mins to defrost.

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