Coffee and Walnut Cake - The Recipe

 

A classic coffee and walnut cake recipe with a buttery yet light sponge and a rich coffee flavoured icing...

I am not usually one to indulge in a coffee cake, I would rather have a chocolate fudge cake any day but whilst looking for something to bake yesterday I laid my eyes on this wonderful recipe in the Great British Bake Off cookery book. It just looked so damn tasty! And if I am honest it was one of the few recipes I actually had the ingredients for, lazy I know, anyway I wanted to share this with you as it is easy to follow and really quick to make.

For the sponge you will need -

175g unsalted soft butter

175g caster sugar

3 medium eggs

75g chopped walnuts

175g self raising flour

1/4 teaspoon of baking powder

1 tablespoon of instant coffee dissolved into 1 tablespoon of hot water

For the filling and topping you will need -

125g unsalted butter

300g icing sugar

3 tablespoons of instant coffee dissolved into 2 tablespoons of hot water

4 tablespoons of double cream

25g chopped walnuts for decoration

First start by pre-heating the oven to 180 C and line two eight inch cakes tins. Put the softened butter and sugar into a bowl and beat until light and creamy, gradually add in the eggs one at a time beating well after each one is added. Add the nuts, sifted flour and baking powder followed by the disolved coffee, carefully fold all ingrediants together until thoroughly combined. Divide the mixture between the two tins and spread evenly. Bake for 20-25mins until golden and the sponge springs back when lightly pressed. Once out of the oven run a round bladed knife around the egde of the cake to loosen and then turn out onto a wire cooling rack, leave cakes to cool completely.

To make the filling and topping heat the butter in a small non stick metal pan until it starts to bubble, sift the icing sugar into a large heatproof bowl and pour over the butter followed by the disolved coffee and cream, beat well using a large wooden spoon until the mixture is smooth, leave until thick enough to spead. You may need to chill the mixture in the fridge for ten minutes or so. Once almost set spread onto the bottom layer of the cake and then place the second sponge layer on top, put the rest of the mixture onto the top of the cake and spread using a spatula, run a knife around the top to create a swirled pattern and then decorate with the chopped walnuts.

The recipe says the cake should last four days so it is a  great one to prepare one or two days before having guests round, although it didn't even last a day in my house! Let me know if you try this!

Where to go: Brighton - SILO

The pre-industrial food system that generates zero waste, uses products in their rawest form at the same time as creating delicious food. Introducing Brighton's greenest new haunt - SILO...

Wondering the North Laines the other day in search of something chocolaty I was lured into SILO, a new restaurant, bakery and coffee house in Upper Gardner Street with a beckoning display of goods in the front window. Fresh artisan breads, cakes, bakes, slices you name it - they have it, and all with that charming homemade look about them. I went for the hot chocolate, taste wise this place delivers a good hot chocolate, thick, creamy melted chocolate consistency - size wise though I could have definitely polished off at least two.

The menu looked as if it was packed with creative dishes and after a little research I discovered SILO locally sources all the ingredients used in their kitchens, they even mill their own flour, they rely on a network of ethical farmers, growers, tea merchants, the list is endless. All combine to create this very modern take on eating out.

The restaurant vibe is similar to that of places found in Brick Lane, the place is buzzing with tables packed with bearded twenty somethings all with their laptops spread all over the tables. The decor is very Pinterest worthy with chalkboards everywhere, exposed white bricks and the menus projected all over the walls.  We had to go away and do a little shopping before there was even a free table so definitely popular since its opening.


Will you be checking out SILO?

Brick Lane Photo Diary

A trip to London isn't complete without popping into Rough Trade in East London and having a look around Brick Lanes famous vintage stores...

On a recent jaunt up to the big smoke to see the Fat White Family at the Electric Ballroom we managed to squeeze in a little time to check out Brick Lane, having been there before we had two things in mind that we wanted to do - go to Rough Trade and have a curry, I mean with all the curry houses there it would be rude not too! 

We also stumbled upon a huge vintage basement full of stalls with rails packed with vintage gems, when it comes to thrift stores though Brick Lane doesn't come close when you compare it with Camden Town and Brighton Laines - the word overpriced comes to mind, although I did manage to pick up an absolute bargain, the sunglasses pictured above were in the sale for five pounds! We also purchased the 1982 classic 'Junkyard' LP by The Birthday Party which our collection was previously lacking.  

Where is your favourite place to visit on a trip to London? 

The Lifestyle Edit - Camden

Churros, Crystals and Cheap Jewellery... It could only be Camden...

A trip to London wouldn't be complete without stopping off in my favourite part of the capital - Camden. The street food alone is enough to entice anyone in but the vintage shops and stalls are some of my favourite places to pick up a second hand gem or two. This particular evening we hung out at the Electric Ballroom to see Fat White Family play.. they were insane by the way and the performance left the lead singer needing throat surgery - need I say more! 

We also stopped off at The Diner for a bite to eat but that really deserves a post all of it's own.

The Summer Playlist

Songs to add to your Summer playlist:

Mac DeMarco - Salad days / Ode to Viceroy

The Fall - Frightened 

Vampire Weekend - Hannah Hunt

Spiritualized - Ladies and Gentlemen we are floating in space

The Beach Boys - Don't cry, put your head on my shoulder

War on Drugs - Red eyes

Mercury Rev - Holes

Fat White Family - Wet hot beef

Ennio Morricone - Ecstasy of gold

Pavement - Box elder

Captain Beefheart - Electricity

The Pogues - Transmetropolitan

The Felice Brothers - Dream on

Brighton - JB's American Diner

Where to eat in Brighton featuring JB's American Diner

When I want a good burger there is really no place better than JB's American diner, situated right on Brighton's seafront it couldn't be better located. The interior is classically American with flags, neon lights and memorabilia from the 50's and 60's, seriously it couldn't be any cooler if it tried. Background music consists of Elvis, Johnny Cash and just about any hit produced by Phil Spector.

The food is of course delicious, the portions are super size so if your hungry this is the place to be. Burgers can be topped with just about any added extra from chili con carne to rashers upon rashers of perfectly cooked bacon. I went for the Foot Long Hot Dog completed with chili and cheese and of course fries. If your still feeling a little peckish then turn your attention to the pudding menu, complete with American desserts such as Pancakes with berry compote, the best thing on the menu in my opinion though is the milkshakes, the selection is fabulous, Milky Bar, Mint Chocolate, Fudge... you name it they have got it.

Have you been to JB's Diner yet?

Summer Date Night Outfit

Keeping it simple with a bohemian vibe, details listed below: 

Kimono - River Island

Dress - Topshop

Bag - Primark

Jewellery - Pull & Bear / Vintage 

Beach

"There is nothing quite as romantic as a stroll along the beach hand in hand whilst the suns sets"

Having always lived by the sea it is hard to imagine not having the beach at my doorstep. The weather has been wonderful recently and Luca and I have been trying to make the most of it, I want to do lots of things outdoors this summer, I really love going for picnics so I am currently on the look out for a hamper.

Here in Worthing the beach has a Pier, it isn't the nicest and up until recently it has been a little neglected. At the moment though it is looking a lot more loved - the restaurant on the very end has been re done with a real 1930's vibe, very Boardwalk Empire style even down to the background music, I love coming here in the day for lunch, the Club sandwich is to die for if you are ever down this way not to mention the incredible cakes!

What are some of your favourite things to do in the Summer evenings? Let me know in the comments below!