Coffee and Walnut Cake
Chef:
Gemma McFarlane
This cake is a fantastic gluten-free option for afternoon tea or celebrations.
For the Cake
150g gluten free plain flour
75g maize flour or cornflour
75g walnuts, ground – you can use a food processor
11/2 heaped tsp gluten free baking powder
300g butter or margarine, at room temperature
300g unrefined caster sugar
6 medium eggs
11/2 tbsp coffee, diluted with a tiny amount of boiling water
Small handful of chopped walnuts
For the filing and topping
250g unsalted butter, at room temperature
500g icing sugar
2 dessert spoons instant coffee granules, diluted with a little boiling water
Preheat the oven to 190°C.
Grease and line two 20cm (8") round cake tins with greaseproof paper or silicone-coated parchment paper.
Sieve together the gluten-free flour, maize flour, ground walnuts and gluten-free baking powder four times to incorporate the baking powder fully.
Cream the butter and sugar together, using a food mixer with a beater attachment or a hand-held electric mixer.
Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat lightly, then beat them into the creamed mixture a little at a time. If the mixture looks as if it is going to split, fold in a spoonful of the flour.
Using a large metal spoon, fold in the flour mixture and the diluted coffee.
Fold in the chopped walnut pieces.
Divide the mixture between the two cake tins and level at the top.
Bake for 25-35 minutes until firm to the touch or a knife inserted comes out clean.
Leave to cool in the tin for 15 minutes before turning out onto a plate then onto a cooling rack.
For the buttercream:
Beat the butter to soften it using a food mixer or a hand-held electric mixer.
Add the icing sugar and diluted coffee and mix into the butter slowly.
Once the icing sugar and diluted coffee are mixed into the butter, increase the speed and beat until light and fluffy.
Add a few drops of water if the buttercream looks too firm.
Fill and decorate the cake with the buttercream.
Serves
8-12
Main ingredients
Eggs
Recipe Type
Party Food, Cakes & Baking, Entertaining, Cake Stall
Special Info
Gluten free
Level of Difficulty
Medium