Gluten-free Coffee and Walnut Cake Traybake
This gluten-free coffee and walnut cake traybake combines bold instant coffee with crunchy walnuts in a moist, buttery sponge. The Thermomix TM7 grinds the walnuts and dissolves the coffee, then mixes the batter evenly every time. Ideal for birthday parties, afternoon tea or a coffee break treat that everyone can enjoy.
About this recipe
Gluten-free coffee and walnut cake traybake with the Thermomix TM7 brings a beloved British classic to your all-in-one kitchen machine, proving that gluten-free baking can be every bit as moist and flavourful as the original. This dessert pairs intense instant coffee with toasted walnut halves, and the TM7 handles every step: grinding the nuts to the ideal crumb, dissolving the coffee granules and mixing the batter evenly so the gluten-free self-raising flour stays light rather than dense. Searching for gluten-free traybake recipes or an easy cake for a birthday buffet? This one fills a large brownie tin, making it perfect for afternoon tea, bake sales or a weekend treat with a latte. The buttery crumb delivers a deep roasted-coffee flavour punctuated by crunchy walnut pieces, and because the TM7 weighs each ingredient directly into the bowl, the ratios stay consistent bake after bake.
Preparation tips
- Toast the walnut halves in a dry pan before grinding; this releases their natural oils and gives the coffee cake a deeper, nuttier flavour that pairs beautifully with the roasted coffee notes.
- Line the brownie tin with baking paper leaving an overhang on two sides, so you can lift the whole traybake out cleanly once cooled before slicing into neat squares.
- Swap the granulated sugar for light brown muscovado sugar for a caramel-like depth, and press a few reserved walnut halves into the batter before baking for a bakery-style finish.
- Check doneness with a skewer in the centre of the traybake, as gluten-free flour batters can cook slightly unevenly; cover with foil if the top browns too quickly towards the end.
Recipe variations
- Dairy-free version: replace the unsalted butter with a block-style plant margarine in equal weight; the coffee and walnut flavours stay dominant and the crumb remains tender for lactose-intolerant guests.
- Festive mocha variation: add two tablespoons of cocoa powder to the gluten-free flour and top with a coffee buttercream swirl and crushed walnuts for an elegant birthday or celebration traybake.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Grinding the walnut halves in seconds, the TM7 delivers an even crumb that keeps the gluten-free crumb tender and nutty. [Multi-Function]
- The built-in scale weighs the gluten-free self-raising flour to the gram, ensuring consistent batter ratios every single bake. [Built-in Scale]
- Whipping the butter and granulated sugar together, the Thermomix creates a pale, airy base that gives this traybake its light texture. [Multi-Function]
- Mixing the batter in one bowl, the TM7 combines coffee and flour evenly without overworking the gluten-free blend. [Multi-Function]
- Heating the coffee mixture with precise control, the TM7 dissolves the instant granules completely for a smooth, full-flavoured liquid. [Precision Control]
Ingredients
- walnut halves
- unsalted butter
- granulated sugar
- large eggs
- instant coffee granules
- gluten-free self-raising flour
- granulated sugar
- water
- instant coffee granules
- walnut halves