Coffee and walnut cake recipe
 This classic coffee and walnut cake is topped with an easy espresso-infused buttercream icing. 225g/8oz unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing225g/8oz caster sugar4 free-range eggs50ml/1¾fl oz strong espresso coffee225g/8oz self-raising flour75g/2½oz walnuts 225g/8oz unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing 225g/8oz caster sugar 4 free-range eggs 50ml/1¾fl oz strong espresso coffee 225g/8oz self-raising flour 75g/2½oz walnuts 125g/4½oz unsalted butter200g/7oz icing sugar50ml/2fl oz strong espresso coffee12 walnut halves, to decorate 125g/4½oz unsalted butter 200g/7oz icing sugar 50ml/2fl oz strong espresso coffee 12 walnut halves, to decorate Method Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.In a bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until very light and pale.Add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well to completely incorporate each egg before adding the next egg.Add the espresso to the mixture and stir well.Add the flour and walnuts and stir well to completely combine.Spoon the cake mixture into two lined and greased 20cm/8in cake tins.Transfer to the oven to bake 25-30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean and the cake is golden-brown.Remove the cakes from the oven and leave to cool on a wire rack.For the buttercream topping, beat the butter and icing sugar together in a small bowl until pale and light. Add the espresso and mix well.Spread the buttercream over the top of each cake, then place one cake on top of the other.Decorate the top of the cake with the walnut halves and serve in generous slices. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. In a bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until very light and pale. In a bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until very light and pale. Add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well to completely incorporate each egg before adding the next egg. Add the eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture, beating well to completely incorporate each egg before adding the next egg. Add the espresso to the mixture and stir well. Add the espresso to the mixture and stir well. Add the flour and walnuts and stir well to completely combine. Add the flour and walnuts and stir well to completely combine. Spoon the cake mixture into two lined and greased 20cm/8in cake tins. Spoon the cake mixture into two lined and greased 20cm/8in cake tins. Transfer to the oven to bake 25-30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean and the cake is golden-brown. Transfer to the oven to bake 25-30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean and the cake is golden-brown. Remove the cakes from the oven and leave to cool on a wire rack. Remove the cakes from the oven and leave to cool on a wire rack. For the buttercream topping, beat the butter and icing sugar together in a small bowl until pale and light. For the buttercream topping, beat the butter and icing sugar together in a small bowl until pale and light. Add the espresso and mix well. Add the espresso and mix well. Spread the buttercream over the top of each cake, then place one cake on top of the other. Spread the buttercream over the top of each cake, then place one cake on top of the other. Decorate the top of the cake with the walnut halves and serve in generous slices. Decorate the top of the cake with the walnut halves and serve in generous slices.