Coffee Walnut Loaf Cake

5 from 1 vote

This coffee walnut loaf cake is moist and delicious. With a bold coffee flavor, crunchy walnut and soft date pieces, this classic loaf cake recipe is super easy to make at home.

Prep Time30

Cook Time45

Total Time1 15

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Servings: slices

Author: Rachel Rodda

Equipment

1 Loaf cake pan

Ingredients

¾ cup dates pitted and chopped
¾ cup brewed coffee hot, strong
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 egg room temperature
¾ cup superfine sugar caster sugar
1 tablespoon butter melted
¾ cup walnuts roughly chopped
1 cup all purpose flour plain flour, sifted
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda bicarb soda
15-20 walnuts whole, extra, for decorating
butter to serve, optional

Instructions

Prepare dates: In a small bowl, add the chopped dates. Pour the hot coffee and vanilla over the top and stir to combine. Leave to soak for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 360 ℉ (180℃/160℃ Fan)
Prepare pan: Line the base of an 8.5 x 4.5 inch (21.5cm x 11.5 cm) loaf pan with parchment paper then butter and flour the sides and set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk the egg and sugar until pale and thick.
Add the melted butter and chopped walnuts to the sugar mixture and stir to combine.
In a separate bowl add the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Whisk to combine. This also aerates the flour.
Gently fold ⅓ of the flour mixture into the walnut mixture. Then add ⅓ of the dates with their soaking liquid to the mixture. Continue adding the flour and dates, alternately, ⅓ at a time. Do not overmix.
Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the extra whole walnuts on top of the mixture.
Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
Once baked, remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out and transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Slice and serve plain or spread with butter and enjoy.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Phillippa Grogan's Date and Espresso Loaf.

Coffee - you need to use strong coffee to achieve a bold coffee flavor. A batch of strong French Press coffee works well, or even a few americanos run from your espresso machine.
Cool - leave to cool in the tin for 5-10 minutes. Don't remove from the loaf tin too soon as the cake may break apart.
Store - in an airtight container for up to 5 days or slice and freeze for up to three months.

Nutrition