Coffee & Walnut Cake

1. 1
   Step 1:

   Preheat oven to 180ºC

2. 2
   Step 2:

   Grease and line three 20cm round cake tins

3. 3
   Step 3:

   Beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.

4. 4
   Step 4:

   Heat milk and coffee with butter until butter is melted. Do not boil. Stir well and set aside.

5. 5
   Step 5:

   Sift flour and baking powder well, at least 3 times. Add walnuts.

6. 6
   Step 6:

   Turn mixer down to its lowest setting. Add a third of the dry ingredients and then a third of the coffee mixture. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

7. 7
   Step 7:

   Divide batter between tins and bake for 25 to 30 Minutes.

8. 8
   Step 8:

   Remove from oven and turn out onto cooling racks immediately.

9. 9
   Step 9:

   Allow to cool completely.

Buttercream:

1. 10
   Step 10:

   Beat butter until soft. Add icing sugar and beat well.

2. 11
   Step 11:

   Add coffee and mix well. Cover buttercream until it is needed.

To assemble:

1. 12
   Step 12:

   Place one layer of cake on a serving plate. Spread a quarter of the buttercream over the cake and place the next layer of cake on top of the buttercream. Repeat with the remaining cake.

2. 13
   Step 13:

   Place the remaining buttercream into a piping bag with a star nozzle. Pipe eight swirls on the top of the cake. Top each swirl with a walnut. Sprinkle some chopped walnuts over the top of the cake if you wish.