Plant-Based Walnut Streusel Cake

Indulge in the Best Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake: Oat & Almond Flour with Creamy Coffee Frosting

Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake made with oat and almond flour with Artisana Organics Raw Walnut Butter and a creamy coffee frosting. This delightful plant-based treat is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, offering a wholesome, refined-sugar-free option for every occasion.

Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake sliced and served on white plates with a fork, scattered chopped walnuts, and a mug of coffee on the side

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to fall into the habit of responding to “How are things?” with a quick, almost automatic “Good, but busy.” While it often feels true, this response can sometimes carry a connotation of monotonous routine or overwhelming tasks. But what if “busy” meant something more? What if it meant a life rich with chosen pursuits, creative endeavors, and moments of pure joy?

For me, busy often translates into time well spent in the kitchen, experimenting with flavors, developing new recipes, and crafting wholesome treats for you, my cherished readers. This work rarely feels like a chore; instead, it’s a passion that consistently delights my taste buds. Beyond recipe development, my days are a blend of intentional activities: from nurturing my furry friend with puppy training, complete with encouraging words and homemade dog treats, to meticulously sequencing my next Saturday yoga class, focusing on mindful movements, breath, and themes. And of course, there’s always time carved out for non-negotiable movement – be it yoga, climbing, running, or a refreshing neighborhood walk.

These are the kinds of “problems” my past self would have dreamed of. Yes, my days are full and can be wonderfully exhausting, but they invariably end with a smile. So, the next time you ask how I’m doing, expect a beaming smile and perhaps a generous slice of this incredible Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake. Because sometimes, the most eloquent answer isn’t spoken, but tasted.

This exquisite Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake is a testament to the fact that wholesome and plant-based can also mean utterly decadent. Crafted with a blend of nourishing oat and almond flours, and featuring the rich, creamy goodness of Artisana Organics Raw Walnut Butter, this cake boasts a tender crumb and a depth of flavor that’s simply irresistible. Topped with a luxurious, dairy-free coffee frosting, it’s a treat that promises to elevate any moment.

Why This Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake Will Become Your New Favorite

There’s a special kind of magic in a coffee cake – that perfect balance of sweetness, warmth, and comforting texture that makes it suitable for any time of day. This vegan version takes that magic to a whole new level, offering a host of benefits that go beyond just taste:

  • Unforgettable Flavor & Texture: Imagine a moist, tender cake infused with the earthy richness of walnuts and a subtle hint of coffee, perfectly complemented by a smooth, creamy coffee frosting. The combination is pure bliss.
  • Wholesome & Plant-Based: Made with oat and almond flour, this cake is naturally gluten-free (ensure certified GF oats/oat flour are used) and entirely vegan. It’s a treat everyone can enjoy, regardless of dietary preferences.
  • Refined Sugar-Free: Sweetened with coconut sugar and pure maple syrup, this recipe offers a healthier alternative to traditional cakes without compromising on flavor.
  • Easy to Make: Despite its gourmet taste, this cake is surprisingly simple to prepare. With straightforward steps for both the cake and the frosting, you’ll have a show-stopping dessert with minimal fuss.
  • Versatile Delight: Whether you’re looking for a delightful breakfast pastry, a satisfying mid-morning snack, a sophisticated brunch item, or an elegant dessert, this coffee cake fits the bill perfectly.

It’s more than just a cake; it’s an experience, designed to bring warmth and joy to your day.

Batter for vegan walnut coffee cake in large mixing bowl with spatula and jar of Artisana Organics Walnut Butter with scattered walnuts

Ingredients Spotlight: The Wholesome Goodness Behind the Cake

The beauty of this Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake lies in its thoughtfully selected ingredients, each contributing to its incredible flavor, texture, and nutritional profile. Here’s a closer look at what makes this recipe truly special:

For the Moist Walnut Coffee Cake

  • Ground Flaxseed: Our vegan “egg” binder! When mixed with water, ground flaxseed creates a gelatinous mixture that effectively replaces eggs in baking, providing structure and moisture while adding healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Unsweetened Almond Milk & Strong Coffee: These liquids provide the necessary moisture and contribute significantly to the cake’s depth of flavor. The coffee enhances the nutty notes of the walnuts without overpowering them, creating a harmonious blend.
  • Coconut Sugar: A natural, unrefined sweetener that lends a caramel-like richness to the cake. It’s a fantastic alternative to white sugar, offering a lower glycemic index.
  • Artisana Raw Organic Walnut Butter with Cashews: This hero ingredient is key to the cake’s luscious texture and rich, nutty taste. Made with just two ingredients – walnuts and cashews – it provides healthy fats and unparalleled creaminess, eliminating the need for added oils. Its mildly sweet and nutty profile pairs beautifully with the coffee.
  • Oat Flour & Superfine Almond Flour: This powerful gluten-free duo forms the base of our cake. Oat flour provides a delicate chewiness and a subtle sweetness, while superfine almond flour contributes to a tender, moist crumb and adds a boost of protein and healthy fats. Together, they create a wonderfully balanced texture.
  • Baking Powder: The leavening agent that ensures our cake rises beautifully and has a light, airy texture.

walnut coffee cake in parchment lined bread pan

Crafting Your Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making this delightful coffee cake is a rewarding experience, leading to a truly impressive treat. Follow these simple steps for a perfect bake every time:

How to Make the Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake Base

1. Prepare Your Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a bread pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting, or lightly grease it with coconut oil. This prevents sticking and ensures your cake comes out perfectly.

2. Create the Flax Egg: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground flaxseed with filtered water. Give it a good stir and let it sit for about 5-7 minutes. You’ll notice it start to thicken and form a gel-like consistency – this is your flax egg working its magic!

3. Wet Ingredients: To the flax egg mixture, add the unsweetened almond milk, strong coffee, coconut sugar, and the star ingredient, Artisana Raw Organic Walnut Butter with Cashews. Mix these wet ingredients thoroughly until everything is well combined and the walnut butter is smoothly incorporated.

4. Dry Ingredients: Gently fold in the oat flour, superfine almond flour, and baking powder. Mix with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a dense cake. A few lumps are perfectly fine.

5. Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into your prepared bread pan. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes. The cake is ready when it turns golden brown on top, starts to crack slightly, pulls away from the edges of the pan, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

6. Cooling: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for at least 10-15 minutes before attempting to remove it. This helps it firm up and prevents it from breaking.

vegan walnut coffee cake in parchment lined bread pan

The Creamy Coffee Frosting: A Dairy-Free Dream

No coffee cake is complete without a luscious frosting, and this vegan coffee frosting is truly exceptional. It’s rich, creamy, and boasts a delightful coffee kick that perfectly complements the cake.

What You Need to Make Coffee Frosting

  • Raw Cashews: The secret to a silky-smooth, dairy-free frosting. When soaked and blended, cashews create an incredibly creamy base.
  • Pure Maple Syrup: Adds a natural sweetness and a hint of warmth to the frosting.
  • Strong Coffee: Infuses the frosting with a robust coffee flavor, tying it beautifully to the cake.
  • Unsweetened Almond Milk: Used to achieve the perfect spreadable consistency.

ingredients for coffee frosting in Vitamix blender with walnuts scattered

How to Make the Coffee Frosting

1. Soak Cashews: Start by soaking your raw cashews in boiling water for at least 20 minutes (or overnight in cold water). This softens them, ensuring a super smooth frosting. Drain them well before proceeding.

2. Blend Ingredients: Add the soaked cashews, pure maple syrup, strong coffee, and initial 3 tablespoons of unsweetened almond milk to a high-speed blender.

3. Achieve Creaminess: Process and blend on high until the frosting is incredibly smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the blender as needed. If the frosting is too thick for your liking, add additional unsweetened almond milk, one tablespoon at a time, blending after each addition until you reach your desired thick, creamy, and spreadable consistency.

4. Chill: Transfer the finished frosting to an airtight container and refrigerate while your cake bakes and cools. Chilling helps the frosting firm up slightly, making it easier to spread.

coffee frosting blended in Vitamix

Brand Spotlight: Artisana Organics Raw Walnut Butter with Cashews

A key to the incredible moisture and rich flavor of this “cake” recipe, without any added oils, is the use of Artisana Organics Raw Walnut Butter with Cashews. This exceptional product is crafted from just two simple, organic ingredients: walnuts and cashews. Its purity and quality shine through in every bite.

The walnut butter boasts a mildly sweet and distinctly nutty flavor profile, coupled with an incredibly smooth and creamy texture. It’s truly versatile – perfect for snacking straight from the jar, adding to smoothies, or, as demonstrated here, elevating your baking. In this recipe, it infuses the cake with a natural richness and a delightful nutty character, ensuring every slice is moist, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. Furthermore, its inherent sweetness and depth of flavor create a harmonious pairing with the bold notes of coffee found in both the cake and the frosting. It’s an ingredient that not only contributes to the healthfulness of the cake but also significantly enhances its gourmet appeal.

Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake on parchment paper on plate with knife and scattered walnuts

How to Serve Your Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake & Storage Tips

Once your cake has completely cooled, it’s time for the grand finale! Generously spread the creamy coffee frosting evenly over the top of the cake. For an extra touch of elegance and crunch, sprinkle a handful of freshly chopped walnuts over the frosting.

It’s crucial to allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving. This ensures the cake’s structure is fully set and the frosting doesn’t melt or slide off. Enjoy this Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake as a delightful breakfast pastry, a satisfying mid-morning snack with your coffee, or a wholesome dessert after dinner.

This cake pairs wonderfully with a variety of warm beverages. Think a steaming latte, a classic cup of coffee, a comforting mug of tea, or any other warm drink that brings you comfort.

Storage: To keep your leftovers fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. The flavors tend to deepen overnight, making it even more enjoyable the next day!

Creative Uses for Leftover Frosting: If you find yourself with extra coffee frosting (which is unlikely, it’s so good!), don’t let it go to waste! It’s incredibly versatile:

  • Spread it on toast, bagels, or pancakes for a decadent breakfast.
  • Swirl it into your morning yogurt bowls or oatmeal for an added burst of flavor and creaminess.
  • Use it as a dip for fresh fruit.

As my partner M enthusiastically declared, this might just be his favorite cake recipe I’ve ever created. So, take note – it’s definitely a winner!

Enjoy every delightful bite of this wholesome and incredibly satisfying Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake!

Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake sliced and and served on white plate

More Delicious Vegan Cake Recipes to Explore

If you loved this recipe, you’re in for a treat! Here are more of our favorite vegan cake recipes that are just as delightful and wholesome:

  • 1-Bowl Apple Oat Cake

  • Vegan Holiday Fruit Cake

  • Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

  • Vegan Chocolate Cherry Cake

  • Vegan Dark Chocolate Cake with Sweet Potato Frosting

Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake sliced and and served on white plates with fork and scattered chopped walnuts with mug of coffee on the side

I Want to Hear From You! Share Your Creations!

Did you try your hand at making this delightful Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake recipe? I’d absolutely love to know how it turned out!

Please take a moment to leave me a comment, rating, and review below. Your feedback is invaluable and helps me create even more delicious recipes for you to enjoy.

And don’t forget to give me a shout on Instagram! Use the hashtag #floraandvino to show off your beautiful creations. I love seeing your culinary adventures!

For more plant-based inspiration and recipes like this one, be sure to check out my Pinterest page. You can easily pin your favorites to make later.

If you’ve loved this post and want to stay updated with all the latest recipes and content, head over to my homepage and subscribe. You’ll get fresh updates delivered right to your inbox, ensuring you never miss a delicious bite!

XO Lauren

Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake sliced and and served on white plates with fork and scattered chopped walnuts


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Sliced Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake with Coffee Frosting and walnuts

Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake



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  • Author:
    Flora & Vino


  • Total Time:
    1 hour 25 minutes


  • Yield:
    8-12 servings


  • Diet:
    Vegan
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Description

This Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake, made with wholesome oat and almond flour and featuring Artisana Organics Raw Walnut Butter, offers a deliciously moist and nutty base. Crowned with a rich, creamy coffee frosting, it’s a perfect plant-based treat for any time of day, satisfying cravings with natural goodness and irresistible flavor.


Ingredients

For the Walnut Coffee Cake:

  • 2 TBSP ground flaxseed + 5 TBSP filtered water (to create a flax egg)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • ¼ cup strong coffee (cooled)
  • ¾ cup coconut sugar
  • ¼ cup Artisana Raw Organic Walnut Butter with Cashews
  • 1 1/2 cup oat flour (use certified gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 cup superfine almond flour 
  • 1 tsp baking powder 

For the Coffee Frosting:

  • 1½ cups raw cashews, soaked in boiling water for 20 min (or overnight in cold water), then drained
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup 
  • ¼ cup strong coffee (cooled)
  • 3 TBSP unsweetened almond milk, plus more as needed to thin

For Topping:

  • Chopped walnuts, for garnish


Instructions

  1. Prepare the Coffee Frosting: First, ensure your cashews are properly soaked and drained. Add the soaked cashews, maple syrup, cooled strong coffee, and the initial 3 tablespoons of unsweetened almond milk to a high-speed blender. Blend until the frosting is super smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. If the frosting appears too thick, add additional unsweetened almond milk in 1 TBSP increments until you achieve a thick, creamy, and spreadable consistency. Transfer the finished frosting to an airtight container and refrigerate it to chill while you prepare and bake your cake.
  2. Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a standard bread pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it with coconut oil. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground flaxseed and filtered water. Stir well and let it sit for several minutes to gel, forming your flax egg.
  3. Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients: To the flax egg mixture, add the unsweetened almond milk, cooled strong coffee, coconut sugar, and Artisana Raw Organic Walnut Butter. Mix thoroughly until all wet ingredients are well combined. Next, add the oat flour, superfine almond flour, and baking powder. Mix gently with a spatula until just combined; avoid overmixing.
  4. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into your prepared bread pan. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes. The cake is done when it’s golden brown on top, starts to pull away from the edges of the pan, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  5. Frost and Serve: Once the cake has cooled completely (this is important for the frosting), spread the chilled coffee frosting generously over the top. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts for garnish. Slice and serve this delicious Vegan Walnut Coffee Cake immediately. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Lazy Cat Kitchen

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 55 mins
  • Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
  • Method: Oven-Bake
  • Cuisine: Vegan, Gluten-Free, Refined-Sugar-Free

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