Delicious Black Walnut Coffee Cake Recipe for Sweet Mornings
Are you a fan of indulgent breakfast treats? Then you have come to the right place. I’m excited to share with you my recipe for a mouth-watering Black Walnut Coffee Cake. It’s a cake that features warm cinnamon, brown sugar, and buttery black walnuts – perfect to pair with your morning coffee or tea.
This cake is simple to make, yet it’s complex in flavor. Its unique taste comes from using black walnuts instead of the more commonly used English walnuts. The black walnuts give this cake an earthy and robust flavor that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of cranberries and brown sugar.
I believe everyone should enjoy this delightful cake, so I made sure the recipe is easy to follow with ingredients readily available at your local grocery store. However, if you can’t find black walnuts in-store, I’ll provide some alternatives in the recipe to make it easier for you.
This recipe has become a family favorite and has been passed down through generations. It’s perfect for serving at breakfast gatherings, brunches or as a dessert after dinner. So, let’s get started on making this delicious Black Walnut Coffee Cake!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you looking for a coffee cake recipe that will wow your taste buds and impress your family and friends? Look no further than this black walnut coffee cake recipe!
Imagine biting into a warm, buttery slice of coffee cake with a perfectly balanced sweetness from the brown sugar and cinnamon walnut streusel. Now, imagine that every bite is filled with chunks of delicious black walnut, giving the cake a unique flavor that sets it apart from any other coffee cake you may have tried before.
Not only is this recipe easy to follow, but it also calls for ingredients that are easily accessible at any grocery store. You don’t have to be a professional baker to make this delicious cake—anyone can do it!
And if you’re looking for variations, there are plenty to choose from. You could add cranberries or dried fruit, use English walnuts instead of black walnuts, or even experiment with different types of streusel.
Whether you’re serving this cake for brunch, as a dessert, or just an indulgent snack, it’s sure to impress. So why wait? Try this black walnut coffee cake recipe today and treat your taste buds to something truly special!
Ingredient List
For this black walnut coffee cake recipe, you will need a combination of basic pantry ingredients and some special ones that give this cake its distinctive taste. Here is what you will need:
- Cake Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
-
½ cup chopped black walnuts
-
Cinnamon-Walnut Streusel Topping
- ¾ cup flour
– ¾ cup packed brown sugar
– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
– 2 teaspoons cinnamon
– 1 cup chopped black walnuts
- ¾ cup flour
-
Cranberry-Black Walnut Sauce
– 8 oz fresh cranberries
– 1 cup water
– ½ cup dried cranberries
– ¼ teaspoon salt
– 1 cup packed brown sugar
The coffee cake ingredients are pretty straightforward. You should have most of these items stocked in your kitchen already. The black walnuts, however, are the star ingredient in this recipe, giving the cake a unique flavor as opposed to traditional English walnuts. If you can’t find them in your local grocery store, many specialty stores or online retailers carry them.
The Recipe How-To
Now that you have all the ingredients ready, it’s time to start making this delicious Black Walnut Coffee Cake Recipe. Follow these simple steps and you will be rewarded with a perfect cake that everyone will love.
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 350F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray.
Step 2: Prepare the Walnut Streusel Topping
In a large bowl, mix together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Add 1 cup of cold butter, cut into small pieces, and use your fingers or a pastry blender to mix everything until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 2 cups of black walnuts, coarsely chopped. Set aside.
Step 3: Make the Coffee Cake Batter
In another large bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 3 teaspoons of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
In a mixing bowl, beat together 3/4 cup of butter, softened, and 2 cups of sugar until light and fluffy. Add in 3 eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with 1 cup of milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
Stir in chopped black walnuts and dried cranberries (optional) until well distributed.
Step 4: Assemble the Cake
Pour half the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it out. Sprinkle half the streusel evenly over the batter. Top with remaining batter and sprinkle the remaining streusel evenly over the top.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before cutting into squares or slices. This cake is best served slightly warm with a cup of coffee.
Enjoy your delicious homemade Black Walnut Coffee Cake!
Substitutions and Variations
One of the great things about this black walnut coffee cake recipe is that it’s extremely versatile. With a few simple substitutions, you can create new flavors and variations to suit your tastes or to mix things up for a special occasion.
Here are a few suggestions for substitutions and variations:
1. Swap out the black walnuts for English walnuts or pecans. While the black walnuts give this coffee cake a unique flavor, other nuts work well too. Try using English walnuts or pecans for a more classic flavor.
2. Mix in some dried fruits. This coffee cake recipe calls for dried cranberries, but you can use any dried fruit you like. Try using raisins, cherries, or chopped apricots instead.
3. Experiment with the streusel topping. Instead of the cinnamon walnut streusel in this recipe, try mixing in some maple syrup or cocoa powder to create a different flavor profile.
4. Make individual cakes. Instead of baking one large coffee cake in a baking dish, try making individual cakes in muffin tins or ramekins. Adjust the baking time accordingly.
5. Add some spices. If you’re looking for a little more spice, try adding some ground ginger, nutmeg, or cloves to the batter.
Regardless of what substitutions and variations you make to this recipe, be sure to experiment and have fun with it!
Serving and Pairing
Black Walnut Coffee Cake is a delicious treat that can be served in various ways. Warm out of the oven, it is fantastic by itself or topped with a dollop of whipped cream. It can also be paired with other morning staples like eggs and bacon for a hearty breakfast.
When entertaining, the cake can be cut into bite-size pieces and served as a finger-food dessert alongside your favorite hot drinks like coffee or tea. In addition, you can also serve a slice of black walnut coffee cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert option.
This cake also pairs well with some extraordinary toppings, such as maple syrup, caramel sauce, or honey glaze. The nutty flavor of black walnuts provides an excellent base for fruit-based toppings. For example, serving your black walnut cake slices with fresh fruit, caramelized apples or pears, and cranberry compote can take this cake to the next level.
Overall, Black Walnut coffee cake is an all-purpose treat that is great for any occasion. Whether you want to serve it as part of a holiday brunch, a weekend breakfast or post-dinner dessert, this versatile cake will definitely impress your guests.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
One of the great things about this black walnut coffee cake recipe is that it can be made ahead of time and stored for later. To make sure it stays as fresh as possible, you’ll want to store it properly.
If you plan on making this cake a day ahead, allow it to cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap. You can store it at room temperature or in the refrigerator overnight.
If you want to make this cake a few days ahead, wrap it tightly and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheating this cake is incredibly easy too! Simply remove the plastic wrap and transfer the cake to a baking sheet. Then, cover the top with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes or until warm. Another option is to microwave individual slices for about 10-15 seconds.
The black walnuts give this coffee cake a unique flavor, so storing it properly and reheating it correctly will ensure that you preserve its taste and texture. Whether you’re making it ahead of time for a special occasion or just want to have some on hand for an indulgent breakfast or snack, this recipe is perfect for that.
Tips for Perfect Results
To achieve the perfect Black Walnut Coffee Cake, I’ve compiled some tips that will help you through the process.
Firstly, make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before you start baking. This includes your butter, eggs, and milk. When ingredients are at room temperature, they mix together better and create a smoother batter resulting in a more evenly baked cake.
Secondly, do not overmix the batter once you have added the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Overmixing causes gluten formation which makes the cake tough and dense. Mix only until there are no lumps and your batter is silky smooth.
Thirdly, when measuring flour, do not scoop it directly from the bag with a measuring cup. Instead, spoon flour into the measuring cups until heaped before leveling it with a straight edge. This method ensures that you don’t accidentally add more flour into the recipe than necessary.
Fourthly, sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top of the Black Walnut Coffee Cake before baking for an additional layer of flavor and texture. This creates a crunchy layer on top of the soft crumb of the cake.
Another important element in this recipe is black walnuts. Try to use them instead of English walnuts as they give Black Walnut Coffee Cake its unique flavor. Black walnuts have bolder taste hence making them ideal for use in baked goods like cakes and cookies.
Finally, allow your cake to cool completely before slicing it. Cutting into warm cake leads to crumbling edges and uneven slices which won’t present well or hold together when eaten.
By following these tips, you will be on your way to making a delicious Black Walnut Coffee Cake every time!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the black walnut coffee cake recipe is a delicious and unique recipe that is sure to impress your taste buds. With its rich flavors of cinnamon, brown sugar, and buttery black walnuts, it’s no wonder that this cake has become a classic dessert option for many people. Furthermore, this recipe is versatile and can be adjusted according to your preferences, with substitutions available to fit dietary restrictions or personal taste.
So why not try making this scrumptious cake for your family and friends? It’s a perfect dessert for any time of the day, whether with breakfast coffee or afternoon tea. Not only is it easy to make with simple ingredients, but it’s also a show-stopper in terms of flavor and presentation. Plus, making this cake from scratch is a great way to show off your culinary skills and impress your guests.
In the end, the black walnut coffee cake recipe is not just any ordinary cake, but a unique and indulgent treat that you must try at least once in your life. So what are you waiting for? Head to your kitchen now and whip up this amazing recipe. I guarantee you won’t regret it!
Black Walnut Coffee Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Crisco
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon black walnut flavoring
- 1/2 cup melted butter (for later)
Filling
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 cup black walnut
Instructions
- Mix as for cake.
- For filling: Mix together the ingredients.
- Spread 1/2 batter in long flat pan.
- Sprinkle 1/2 filling over this.
- Pour remaining batter over, spread rest of filling on top.
- Spoon 1/2 cup melted butter on top.
- Bake 350°F for about 35 minutes.