Coffee Walnut Layer Cake

Name: Coffee Walnut Layer Cake
Ingredients: For the cake; butter, for pans; 1/2 cup walnut pieces; 1 cup sugar, plus; 2 tablespoons sugar; 8 ounces unsalted butter, at room temperature; 1 2/3 cups flour; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 4 large eggs; 2 tablespoons milk, at room temperature,more as needed; 1 tablespoon instant coffee, dissolved in; 1 tablespoon boiling water; For the frosting; 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar; 6 ounces unsalted butter, at room temperature; 1 tablespoon instant coffee, dissolved in; 1 tablespoon boiling water; 1/4 cup walnut halves, for decoration

18 ingredients

20 steps

Ingredients

For the cake
butter, for pans
1/2 cup walnut pieces
1 cup sugar, plus
2 tablespoons sugar
8 ounces unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 2/3 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
4 large eggs
2 tablespoons milk, at room temperature,more as needed
1 tablespoon instant coffee, dissolved in
1 tablespoon boiling water
For the frosting
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
6 ounces unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tablespoon instant coffee, dissolved in
1 tablespoon boiling water
1/4 cup walnut halves, for decoration

Directions

1

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2

Butter two 8-inch cake pans, and line base of each with parchment paper.
3

In food processor, combine 1/2 cup walnut pieces and sugar.
4

Process to a fine powder.
5

Add butter, flour, baking powder and eggs.
6

Process to a smooth batter.
7

Add 2 tablespoons milk to coffee mixture and pour this down feed tube with motor running.
8

Mixture should be just soft enough to drop from a spoon; if not, add more milk.
9

Divide cake batter between two pans.
10

Bake until risen and springy to touch, about 25 minutes.
11

Cool on a rack for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and place on rack.
12

Remove parchment paper.
13

Cool completely.
14

For frosting: Place confectioners' sugar in food processor and pulse until lump-free.
15

Add butter and process until smooth.
16

Add coffee mixture down feed tube and pulse until well blended.
17

Place one cake upside down on a plate or cake stand.
18

Spread with about half the frosting.
19

Place second cake right side up on frosting, and cover top and sides in a swirly pattern.
20

Place a walnut half in center of cake, and gently press remaining halves into top of cake, around the edge.