Coffee and Walnut Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Moist sheet cake infused with coffee and studded with toasted walnuts, topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup, softened unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup, cooled strong brewed coffee
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup, toasted chopped walnuts
- 8 oz, softened cream cheese
- 1/4 cup, softened unsalted butter for frosting
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract for frosting
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch sheet pan.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt until combined.
- Step 3: In another bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 2 large eggs until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup cooled strong brewed coffee, 3/4 cup buttermilk, and 1 tsp vanilla extract to the butter mixture and stir until smooth.
- Step 5: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined.
- Step 6: Fold in 1 cup toasted chopped walnuts evenly.
- Step 7: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 8: While cake cools, prepare frosting by beating 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup softened unsalted butter until creamy.
- Step 9: Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture, beating until smooth and fluffy.
- Step 10: Spread frosting evenly over cooled cake and sprinkle additional chopped walnuts if desired before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Coffee and Walnut Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Coffee and Walnut Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Coffee and Walnut Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Coffee and Walnut Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Coffee and Walnut Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
