Coffee Walnut Snack Cake

I put this cake together while watching the news last evening. I must admit I have a fractured relationship with television. It began when the BBC killed Inspector Morse, it worsened when I realized that dialogue on prime time series had fallen to 500 words or less and it ended when the networks began to sell opinion as news. The final nail in the coffin came when producers made entertainment and charm a component of cooking shows. I'm ashamed to admit I began talking, often rudely, to the TV and, while an intervention got me back on track, I'm constantly aware of how easily one can fall back into bad habits. Hence, I distract myself by multitasking - baking - when the set is on. This cake is simple to do. It can be made in two bowls with a wooden spoon and it follows in the European tradition of barely sweet pastry. I like to serve this with coffee for dessert or breakfast and, said she smiling sweetly, whenever the TV is on.

Coffee Walnut Snack Cake

Ingredients:

Cake:

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup milk

2 large egg, lightly beaten

1/2 unsalted butter, melted and cooled

2 tablespoons instant coffee crystals

1 tablespoon boiling water

1/3 cup toasted walnuts, chopped

Confectioners' sugar

Streusel Topping:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup toasted walnuts, chopped

1/3 cup crystallized sugar

2 tablespoons butter, cut into 1/4-inch dice

1 teaspoon apple pie spice

1 tablespoon water

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with baking spray. Set aside.

2) Place flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk to combine. Add sugar and whisk again.

3) Combine milk, eggs. butter and coffee mixture in a second medium bowl. Whisk to combine.

4) Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Add chopped walnuts and mix together with a wooden spoon. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Set aside.

5) To make topping, mix flour, baking powder, salt, walnuts and crystallized in a small bowl. Add butter and use fingers to rub in until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle in apple pie spice and water and lightly work mixture to form loose crumbs. Sprinkle topping over cake.

6) Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes. Cool cake in pan. Release sides and transfer to serving plate when completely cool. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar just before serving. Yield: 8 servings.

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