A juicy vanilla walnut loaf cake, just perfect for afternoon tea or a midday snack. Delicious, and packed with goodness.
My mum used to buy Walnut loaf cake once in a while – they had buttercream of some kind either on top or in the middle and I loved it. It was one of the only non-chocolate based cakes I would even bother with at that young age. So, I thought I would recreate it, without buttercream as I’m really trying to get my bikini bod on as I’m going to Kenya for New years and my baker’s flab will not get rid of itself. I know what you’re all thinking – “cake in general is hardly the way to go if you want to lose weight” (I hear that slightly bitchy tone! haha). But I don’t want to be one of those people who doesn’t enjoy themselves because they want to look like Jennifer Aniston. I don’t and I shant!
Moving on from my narcissism – Walnuts and nuts in general are so bloody expensive – has anyone else noticed this? But definitely worth it for a walnutty treat. I added some yoghurt in to make it nice and juicy. 
How to Make Walnut Loaf Cake
Prepare the Loaf Pan
- Grease and Line: Grease a loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Preheat the Oven
- Set Temperature: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
Prepare the Walnuts
- Crush Walnuts: Using a food processor or a pestle and mortar, crush the walnuts until they are coarsely ground.
Cream Butter and Sugar
- Mix: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and caster sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Add Eggs
- Incorporate Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is well incorporated before adding the next.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Sift together the flour and baking powder. Gradually add to the creamed mixture, mixing until just combined.
Add Final Ingredients
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the vanilla essence and yogurt, then fold in the crushed walnuts.
Fill the Loaf Pan
- Pour the Batter: Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Bake
- Cooking Time: Bake for about 60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
Cool and Serve
- Cooling: Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve slices of walnut loaf with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Recipe Notes
- Walnut Prep: Toasting the walnuts before crushing them can enhance their flavor.
- Checking Doneness: Start checking the loaf for doneness after 50 minutes to prevent over-baking.
- Storage: This loaf can be wrapped in cling film and stored at room temperature for several days or frozen for longer storage.
Walnut Loaf Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf cake 1x
Description
A juicy vanilla walnut loaf cake, just perfect for afternoon tea or a midday snack. Delicious, and packed with goodness.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups (200g) walnuts, shelled & roasted
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter (125g), softened
- 1 cup (210g) caster sugar
- 1 3/4 cups (210g) plain flour
- 1 tsp (5g) baking powder
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp plain yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
Instructions
Prepare the Loaf Pan
- Grease and Line: Grease a loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Preheat the Oven
- Set Temperature: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
Prepare the Walnuts
- Crush Walnuts: Using a food processor or a pestle and mortar, crush the walnuts until they are coarsely ground.
Cream Butter and Sugar
- Mix: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and caster sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Add Eggs
- Incorporate Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is well incorporated before adding the next.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Sift together the flour and baking powder. Gradually add to the creamed mixture, mixing until just combined.
Add Final Ingredients
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the vanilla essence and yogurt, then fold in the crushed walnuts.
Fill the Loaf Pan
- Pour the Batter: Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Bake
- Cooking Time: Bake for about 60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
Cool and Serve
- Cooling: Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve slices of walnut loaf with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Walnut Prep: Toasting the walnuts before crushing them can enhance their flavor.
- Checking Doneness: Start checking the loaf for doneness after 50 minutes to prevent over-baking.
- Storage: This loaf can be wrapped in cling film and stored at room temperature for several days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 60 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Official Honest Cooking comment here: this recipe has been a favorite of ours since it was first published 10 years ago – but it does seem like a lot of folks are experiencing the cooking time suggestion as too short. We REALLY appreciate the feedback and have re-tested the recipe recently. Because of that, we have updated the recipe instructions to reflect a longer cook time with a lower temperature for a loaf pan.
However, if you use a round cake pan, the baking time should still be 30-40 minutes max.
Where is the indication of pan size?
Hi Kim!
A standard 9×5-inch loaf pan will work perfectly for this.
Best
Kalle
Is there any chance that the butter measurement should be 1/2 a cup or 1 stick? 2 sticks seems high according to baking ratios. Also, 1t of baking powder per cup of flour.
Hi Kim,
Thank you for your question. It is 2 sticks of butter for this recipe – yup, it’s a lot, but it’s also a delicious cake. As for the baking powder, this uses more than a normal recipe – partially to counter the weight of the walnuts.
Cheers
Kalle
Yummy walnut cake!!
Turned out lovely, only thing is it took double the time – 60 minutes to cook, after 30 mins it was nowhere near ready!
Baking time has been adjusted accordingly. Thank you for your comment!
I tried this for my father in law for fathers day in no way at all would this cake be ready after 30 miss I opened the oven and the middle sunk right down not wanted to be defeated I tried again as it a promised cake that he loves just tried it again checked it after 50 mins and the middle was completely sunken again so annoyed
It definitely needed 60 mins to bake, but was utterly delicious.
Baking time has been adjusted accordingly. Thank you for your comment!
My Auntie Rene used to make me a Walnut Loaf when I was a child but I never got the recipe from her so I’ve been looking for ages and this recipe seems to fit the bill. Sadly she is no longer with us but I’m going to make it and see how near to hers it is. My Mum would spread butter on it so that will be the test???
Can you tell me what size loaf tin did you use? I only have one 3lb loaf tin at home!
I would try right now, but too late learn grams VS ounces.
This was delicious, and really easy to make. As others have said, it took an hour to bake… after half an hour it was wobbly!
It’s nice but way too rich and sweet,
I tried this as it’s one of my favourites. I baked for 30 mins but nowhere near long enough. So I tried for a further 10 mins looked fine but dark on the outside so had to get it out as I didn’t want to ruin it. As soon as I took it out it sank. None of my bakes have sunk I’m so disappointed!
What dimensions is the loaf pan?
Great!!!!!!!!!!!
I made this cake yesterday and like everyone else who has commented, it took twice the time, in fact even a little longer, until it was cooked properly in the middle. The cake itself is absolutely delicious.
Thank you for this simple recipie. it saved my day.
Yup. I’ve made it 5 times now and it has to cook for 50/60 minutes but at 180 it tends to burn the edges so I lower the heat to 170. Recipe states 30 minutes, no way. Friends and I love e it though. Will try it with banana and less butter. Haven’t used the yoghurt since the first go because of the sloppy cake after 30 mins and the sunken centre.
I made this and followed the directions to the letter. The loaf wasn’t cooked in the middle, it collapsed completely. I left it in the oven for 35 minutes. Made it 60 minutes and it turned out great.
I make this cake for a real ‘cakey’. She reckons this is the finest cake recipe ever. You’ve made someone very happy!!
Can I bake this in a tube pan?
Super cake! I added a tablespoon of honey to reduce the sharpness of the sugar.
Cooking time was about 50 minutes in my new oven, end result was so tasty!
It did sink a bit but was so delicious!
I found it to collapse initiallu, so tried self raising flour, so far so good, hasn’t collapsed.. Turned out perfect!
my friends said it was best they had tasted.
My house smells devine, but as most previous comment s state it did not cook in 30 mins, mine totally hadn’t either I’ve put some foil over to try and stop it burning. Also I used cashews instead of walnuts hope it turns out ok after checking it so many times.
I made 1 loaf tin and a half loaf tin there is lots of mixture
EDIT: With the updated cook time, this turned out perfectly!
Official Honest Cooking comment here: this recipe has been a favorite of ours since it was first published 10 years ago – but it does seem like a lot of folks were experiencing the cooking time suggestion as too short. We REALLY appreciate the feedback and have re-tested the recipe recently. Because of that, we have updated the recipe instructions to reflect a longer cook time with a lower temperature for a loaf pan.
However, if you use a round cake pan, the baking time should still be 30-40 minutes max.
Fantastic!
I.made this a few years ago and as several comments say, 30m not nearly enough. 45m was borderline so I’m trying with 55m this time.
This is one amazingly tasty cake, love this recipe!
I used this walnut loaf as a base for a more elaborate dessert with poached pears and mascarpone. It was a fantastic combination. Thanks for the inspiration!
Absolutely delicious! I served it with a scoop of homemade caramel ice cream and it was a dream. This recipe’s a keeper for sure.
This was my first time baking this and it was perfect at 60 minutes. The loaf came out beautifully golden and delicious. I’ll definitely be making this again!
Great recipe, I think it turned out really well tbh. I would probably have used a mix of nuts though.
I loved it, turned out really well, moist and delicious.
Perfect result, so delicious, moist and lovely. Fantastic recipe, really thanks!
I think I overbaked mine a little, but that’s not the recipes fault – my bad, I know my oven runs a little hotter than others. Great flavors and looked awesome!
Fabulous recipe, turned out so well!
Moist, delicious. Might try with other nuts, as the walnut flavor can be an acquired taste.