Nothing quite beats the warm, comforting embrace of a beautifully baked coffee cake, especially when it’s bursting with rich flavors and textures. This Date Coffee Cake with Walnuts & Espresso Recipe brings together the natural sweetness of dates, the crunchy delight of walnuts, and the bold depth of espresso, creating a heavenly treat that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up. Each bite offers a harmonious balance of tender crumb and nutty crunch, all with a subtle coffee-infused twist that invites you to savor every morsel.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each item plays a vital role—from providing texture and sweetness to infusing a rich espresso flavor that makes this cake truly special.
- All-purpose flour: The base that gives structure and a tender crumb to the cake.
- Baking soda: Helps the cake rise perfectly, making it light and fluffy.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavors throughout.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds a warm, cozy spice that complements both walnuts and dates.
- Unsalted butter: Brings richness and moisture, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Brown sugar: Adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients.
- Egg: Acts as a binder, giving the cake its perfect consistency.
- Vanilla extract: Lends a subtle aromatic lift that brightens every bite.
- Espresso or strong brewed coffee: The star ingredient that infuses the cake with a distinct and irresistible coffee flavor.
- Chopped dates: Natural sweeteners that add chewy bursts of flavor.
- Chopped walnuts: Provide satisfying crunch and a lovely nutty note throughout the cake.
- Topping mix (brown sugar, walnuts, cinnamon): Creates a delightful crust that adds texture and extra flavor on top.
How to Make Date Coffee Cake with Walnuts & Espresso Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your chosen 9-inch round or square baking pan to ensure the cake releases easily after baking. This small preparation step guarantees a perfect shape and an effortless removal later — no sticking messes here!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Take a medium bowl and whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. This blend combines your leavening agents and spices, setting the stage for that signature cozy coffee cake flavor.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with brown sugar until your mixture turns light, fluffy, and beautifully creamy. This process traps air, which translates into a light texture in your final bake.
Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. These ingredients enhance moisture and flavor, while the vanilla adds a lovely fragrance that elevates the cake’s profile.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Now it’s time to bring your dry ingredients and the espresso into the mix. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the cooled espresso or coffee. Begin and end with the dry mix, stirring just until combined to avoid overworking the batter.
Step 6: Fold in Dates and Walnuts
Gently fold in the chopped dates and walnuts, evenly distributing these delightful bursts of sweetness and crunch throughout the batter.
Step 7: Pour Batter into Pan
Transfer the batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to create an even surface. This ensures uniform cooking and a beautiful presentation.
Step 8: Add the Topping
Mix together the brown sugar, walnuts, and cinnamon in a small bowl for the topping. Sprinkle this generously and evenly over your cake batter to form a sweet, crunchy crust that perfectly complements the soft cake beneath.
Step 9: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cake in your preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached—a telltale sign of perfectly baked cake.
Step 10: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack. Cooling completely ensures the cake firms up just enough for clean slicing without losing any of its tender appeal.
How to Serve Date Coffee Cake with Walnuts & Espresso Recipe
Garnishes
Consider sprinkling a light dusting of powdered sugar over the cake for extra charm. Freshly whipped cream or a dollop of mascarpone make elegant accompaniments that add a creamy contrast to this nutty, coffee-infused delight.
Side Dishes
This coffee cake pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit like berries or slices of crisp apple to provide a refreshing bite alongside. A hot cup of your favorite coffee or a warm chai latte perfectly complements the espresso notes embedded in the cake.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn this classic coffee cake into a centerpiece by cutting it into beautiful triangles and stacking them on a tiered cake stand for brunch guests. Or serve it beside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert twist that’s sure to impress any crowd.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover slices in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain their moist crumb and crunchy topping. For longer storage, keep the cake refrigerated for up to a week, but bring it back to room temperature before serving for the best flavor.
Freezing
This Date Coffee Cake with Walnuts & Espresso Recipe freezes beautifully. Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
Warm slices gently in a low oven (about 300°F) for 10 minutes or pop them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. This simple step revives the cake’s softness and enhances the espresso aroma, bringing it back to freshly baked perfection.
FAQs
Can I use regular brewed coffee instead of espresso?
Absolutely! While espresso provides a stronger coffee flavor, a well-brewed strong coffee works wonderfully and still infuses the cake with a delicious coffee essence.
Are the walnuts necessary in this recipe?
Walnuts add a delightful crunch and depth of flavor, but if you have allergies or preferences, pecans or hazelnuts can be great alternatives or you can even omit nuts altogether.
Can I substitute dates with another dried fruit?
Yes, dried figs, apricots, or raisins can replace dates. Each will add its own unique sweetness and texture, so feel free to experiment based on your taste preferences.
How should I store leftover Date Coffee Cake with Walnuts & Espresso Recipe?
Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days to maintain freshness or refrigerate if you want to extend their life beyond that.
Is this cake gluten-free friendly?
Not in its original form, but you can try swapping the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking. Just make sure it includes xanthan gum or similar stabilizer for best results.
Final Thoughts
This Date Coffee Cake with Walnuts & Espresso Recipe has quickly become one of my all-time favorites because it manages to be both comforting and sophisticated in every bite. Whether you’re sharing it with friends over a cup of coffee or enjoying a quiet moment on your own, this cake promises to delight your senses. Give it a try—you might find it becomes a beloved staple in your baking rotation just like it is in mine!
Print
Date Coffee Cake with Walnuts & Espresso Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This delectable Date Coffee Cake with Walnuts & Espresso combines the rich flavors of espresso and sweet dates with a nutty crunch of walnuts. Moist and tender with a cinnamon-sugar walnut topping, this cake makes an excellent treat for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon coffee breaks.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup espresso or strong brewed coffee, cooled
Add-ins
- 1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
Topping
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round or square baking pan to ensure the cake does not stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Brown Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the large egg and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture, beating well until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients and Espresso: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the cooled espresso or strong brewed coffee. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in Dates and Walnuts: Stir in the chopped dates and walnuts gently, ensuring they are evenly distributed within the batter.
- Transfer Batter to Pan: Pour the prepared batter into the greased and floured pan, smoothing the top with a spatula for an even bake.
- Prepare and Add Topping: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the surface of the cake batter.
- Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cake is lightly golden on top.
- Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the cake set and makes it easier to slice.
Notes
- Ensure espresso or brewed coffee is cooled before adding to the batter to prevent cooking the egg prematurely.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative.
- The cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Reheat slices gently in the microwave for a warm treat.
- For extra crunch, toast the walnuts before adding to the batter and topping.
