Forget what you think you know about dry, crumbly coffee cake. I’m about to blow your mind with this black walnut coffee cake recipe.
Throughout my entire life, if our family went on vacation, my mom made two things: what she calls her “travel brownies” – and this decadent black walnut coffee cake. It’s a family favorite and I’m so excited to share it with you! Now, if you’ve never had black walnut extract before, you’re in for a serious treat. It’s a tough ingredient to find in-store, but my sister discovered an awesome online option that will last for years (especially if you’re only using it for special occasion foods such as this). Sure, you can make this recipe without the black walnut extract, but I will say that it makes a big difference in the flavor! To have the ultimate experience, you’ll want that sweet and smoky key ingredient.
When my husband and I met, I realized for the first time that a lot of people associate coffee cake with being very dry and crumbly. That is not the case with this one! It could be the copious amounts of butter (this is definitely not a healthy treat, by any means) but let me tell you, it is dense and moist and utterly divine. It’s about the only coffee cake that he will eat – and when I made it for this particular blog post, he helped himself to two pieces right out of the oven!
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This treat can be enjoyed for breakfast or dessert!
Once you’ve poured yourself a steaming hot cup of coffee (or spiced mocha), slice a piece of the coffee cake and take a moment to yourself to just indulge in the rich sweetness and appreciate life a little bit more.
Black Walnut Coffee Cake
Ingredients
Batter
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 ½ cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp black walnut extract
- 1 cup milk (regular or non-dairy)
- 3 cups flour
- 3 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Topping
- 4 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup walnuts finely chopped
Drizzle
- ½ cup butter melted
Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Grease a 9×13 pan
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar
- Add three eggs (one at a time) mixing after each
- Add both of the extracts and mix thoroughly
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt
- To the egg/sugar mixture, alternately add the cup of milk and the flour mixture
- Pour half the batter into 9×13 pan
- Combine topping ingredients
- Sprinkle half of the topping mixture over batter
- Drop remaining batter by spoonfuls over top and spread evenly
- Sprinkle the remaining topping mixture on top and drizzle with melted butter
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean
- Allow to cool
- When cool, top with glaze in a criss-cross manner
Will you be testing out this recipe?
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Amanda says
This looks absolutely delicious and would be so good with my coffee right now! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Raji says
This looks delicious! I love coffee cake, so I will definitely try this recipe the next time I bake. Thanks for sharing!
Meg Stewart says
You had me at the title of your blog – but swooned me with this recipe!
Kat says
This looks so yummy! Definitely going to try and make this!
Eleanor Jones says
Great post! I love how you’ve put here that it’s possible to use non-dairy alternatives, thank you for sharing x
Sophie | Love and Literature says
Wow, this looks delicious! I definitely need to give this a go sometime. The pictures are stunning too x
I'm All Booked Up says
This looks so yummy!
Meredith Dent says
This looks so tasty!!! I’ve been meaning to get back into baking lately and I’ve been needing some fancy new recipes to add to my repertoire. I’m going to have to try this one out for sure ❤️
A Cup of Wonderland says
Who doesn’t like cake when their reading and this looks divine! Shall definitely be giving this a try!
Kevin Foodie says
The walnut cake looks delicious 😋. I have never seen black walnut essence. It must be very fragrant. Will be checking online for it.
Fabiana says
Even in my family, not my mother but my mother-in-law, I grew up with some “vacation” recipes. I love your cake, it looks exquisite, can’t wait to try it!!!
Llizzie says
Confession: I’ve never had coffee cake lol! But that looks realllllly good! I might have to make a dairy-free, egg-free version! 🙂
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Lucy says
Oh this cake looks delicious, perfect with a cup of coffee! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Jen says
Ooo this cake sounds so good! Thank you for sharing it!
Cristina Rosano says
Okay, coffee and walnuts, two of my favourites so I can’t really pass on this! I will have to get the black walnut extract and bake this! I can already imagine it with a steaming cup of coffee in hand and a great read, dreams! Thank you for sharing x
Megan says
So yummy! Perfect with a hot cup of coffee on this cool spring mornings. Definitely will be making this again.
Amie says
Ooh this looks amazing! I’d have to swap out the cinnamon as I’m allergic but I’m definitely going to try and make a vegan version!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Ana says
This cake looks amazing! I don’t think I’ve ever had something like this before but definitely want to try
Anita says
This cake looks absolutely delicious and I’m sure it tastes amazing 😋
Lynn Mejia says
OMG this looks amazing! I’ve never heard of black walnut but it sounds so rich! I’m a big sucker for coffee cakes and will always pick one up when presented the opportunity. Thank you for sharing xx
http://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Lee says
Ok this looks absolutely amazing!! I want to try this for Easter brunch!!
Rach says
Coffee is not my fav for that exact reason – they’re usually dry. So I am intrigued that this family recipe is not! I might need to try this out!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Luke Slater says
Wow this looks yummy, I’m definitely going to try and make this 😁
Sharila says
This looks so yummy and moist–like an elevated cinnamon roll. Love the idea of curling up with a nice book, pastry, and a hot drink.
Jaya Avendel says
This is going into my recipe book! Pretty to behold and divine to partake of. I have never tried a black walnut coffee cake before, but all things moist and delicious have my name somewhere in them.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Charity says
Oh this looks so yummy. I love a good coffee cake. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Heidi says
This looks and sounds amazing! It’s so funny that you shared this today. I have been eyeing a black walnut cake recipe in my grandma’s cookbook for months now! I will have to check and see how similar this one is. Either way, I’m going to try it soon!
Caitlin says
I’ve never had black walnut extract but I’m very intrigued. We are big fans of moist coffee cake around here – dry coffee cake just doesn’t do it for me! Wonderful recipe!
rebecca says
okay i am absolutely DROOLING! I am usually hopeless at baking but this one looks worth a shot! thanks for sharing Steph.
xx rebecca // thecrystalpress.com
Lauryn Hock says
I need to try this cake RIGHT NOW! The frosting drizzle has me drooling.
Gemma Jayne says
Walnut cake is one of my mums favourite cakes! So this recipe I definitely want to try and attempt for her, because I am sure she will appreciate it. Thanks for sharing x
Denise Kokinis says
OMG yummmm this looks unreal! I love a good dessert or just something to enjoy with coffee from time to time!
Denise| Denise Marie
Anna English says
Oh girl, this looks so YUM! I might try and make it this weekend.
Neely Moldovan says
This sounds so good! I love coffee cake. Any kind of pastries are my weakness.
mia says
um…. YUM! This looks absolutely delicious. My partner’s favourite cake is coffee and walnut, so I’m going to try this on the weekend! xx
mia // https://beautiful-inspiring-creative-life.com/
Elle says
Wow, this cake looks utterly delish! I absolutely love coffee cake so this is right up my street. I’ll defiantly be giving this a go. Thank you for sharing! Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
This looks absolutely delicious! I’m not really a coffee cake fan usually, but if this isn’t dry and crumbly, I’m in!
Mariah says
This looks so yummy! I love the food photography too. So well done!
Aliya Gulamhusein says
My husband is the baker and I just sent him the link to this post. Hopefully it makes it this weekend. Yummy
Jennifer Prince says
Oh my gosh! This looks entirely too amazing. Seeing that icing sells me on it alone. Ha! I’ve never had coffee cake with walnuts in it – I’ll have to test this recipe out. So yum!
Amanda says
I’m not the biggest fan of nuts but this cake might make me into one– it looks and sounds absolutely delicious! I didn’t even know walnut extract existed?? Will definitely be making this!
Stephani says
This looks and sounds so delicious! My hubby loves coffee cake! I’ll have to save this recipe for a surprise brekkie for him!
Xo , Steph
Jenny in Neverland says
Wow this looks lovely! I adore your photography here too. I’m not a baker but I’d love to try this if someone else made it for me haha!
Freya says
I love this recipe! I’m in the U.K. so I’m now going to try and source some black walnut extract as it sounds delicious!
Heather LeGuilloux says
I have always loved coffee cake but adding walnuts and walnut extract sounds like it takes coffee cake to a whole new level. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Mary Monique says
Gave you 5 stars! Never tried coffee cake but omg this looks so delicious and tasty! It’s great that your mother breaks brownies as for travel. Thanks for sharing your easy recipe!! More photos please haha.
http://www.lifebeginsattwenty.com
Erin says
Umm well this looks freaking delicious. I haven’t had coffee cake in forever.
Lisa says
Who doesn’t love a good coffee cake? This one looks delicious! You could eat this in the morning or in the afternoon with a cup of coffee. Yummy!
Meg Kingsbury says
Ohh yum! I love everything coffee and everything cake! This sounds absolutely delightful! I will definitely make this. Thanks so much for sharing! 💜
Yolanda says
This looks better than any other coffee cake I’ve had! I’ll have to see where I can find black walnut extract and then I’m going to make. I think it’ll be yummy to have over Easter weekend.
Linda says
We are taking a mini trip for spring break to do some hiking. I was just saying that I should bake some muffins to bring with us for an easy breakfast before we head out for a day on the trails, buuuttt…I think I should make this coffee cake instead! That texture looks so decadent!
Genesis says
Yum! I’m always looking for good desserts to go with my coffee and reading in the afternoons! This recipe looks perfect!
Ayanna says
Oh my goodness, this looks so yummy! Now I have to go check to see if we have walnuts.
Charissa says
Oh, this coffee cake recipe sounds delicious! I usually make one with pecans, so I’ll have to give this black walnut one a try!
Nayomi says
I love walnut coffee cake but I haven’t had it in years. This recipe makes me reminisce of warm cups of tea with grandma watching reruns of 70s TV
Kait says
I could probably eat coffee cake every day of my life and be okay with it, especially when there are such fun varieties out there like this one! I haven’t really used black walnut, but the ingredient always feels like a very Appalachia thing to me. I’ve been exploring that region’s cooking a bit more lately, so I would love to try working with it!
Caitlin says
Coffee cake is one of my favorite sweets EVER! This recipe looks so easy and delicious – it’s definitely something I want to try!
Fadima Mooneira says
Wow!!!!!! What a yummy sweet treat! You make me want to try this recipe. Thank you for sharing.
Caroline says
This looks and sounds absolutely delicious! I think I’ll try this recipe out and see what my dad thinks – he loves coffee x
Donna Whitman says
You must know that this is not only MY coffee cake recipe but it was my mom’s recipe and my grandmother’s recipe. Therefore it’s your great-grandmothers recipe!! It’s sooooo good!!
Black walnut extract is hard to find these days but it makes the cake for sure. You can still get it online if you can’t find it in stores.
I recall the smell of this cake filling the house when I was a little girl, just as you do. Isn’t this amazing!!
Rayo says
I love cakes. Looks delicious, wish I could have a taste right now. I will keep the recipes for later. Thanks for sharing
Vourneen says
This is making me want to like coffee! I’ve never been able to get used to the taste but this cake looks so delish!
Corinne says
Oh yum! This looks so declious. And your pictures are dreamy, as always..
Corinne x
Isa A says
Never saw recipe on your page before but this one was nicely laid out. Generations recipes are the best and tried out. I think it’s the milk that gives it the softness. good one! Xx
Isa A. Blogger
Oh to Be a Muse says
When done right, coffee cake is one of my favorite desserts. So so good when moist.
http://www.ohtobeamuse.com
Lizzie says
Coffee cake isn’t usually cup of tea (lol!) for that same reason – it’s typically dry. But THIS looks SO good! And I bet it smells amazing. I think I’m going to have to give this one a try 😉
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Simona says
I am going to search for black walnut extract on Amazon because this looks sooooo lush – I can’t believe this is a coffee cake! I generally do not enjoy coffee cake but this one sounds too good to pass, so will make it as soon as I can get my paws on the extract x
Amanda M. says
This looks delicious! I didn’t even know black walnut extract existed, I bet this has so much flavor!
Deborah says
Wowowow that looks so yummy! I love walnuts! Totally going to make it this weekend when it’s cold so I can snuggle up with a yummy pastry with my coffee!
Alexis says
This sounds so delicious! I haven’t had coffee cake since I started college and now I’m totally craving it. Over the summer I went on vacation to Michigan and had coffee cake nearly everyday, now I’m missing it so much!