Maple Walnut Crumble Cake

Welcome to a world of comforting aromas and irresistible flavors! Our Maple Walnut Coffee Cake is more than just a recipe; it’s an experience designed to enchant your senses without overwhelming them. Imagine a tender, moist cake base, generously layered with a thin, luscious cream cheese filling. This delightful filling is elevated by the rich, earthy crunch of perfectly toasted walnuts and the sweet, distinctive notes of real maple. To crown this masterpiece, a bountiful amount of crumbly streusel topping provides textural contrast, all finished with a delicate drizzle of maple icing. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, making it the ultimate treat for any occasion.

If you’re searching for other delightful breakfast or brunch options, don’t miss our Coffee Cake Muffins, a convenient way to enjoy coffee cake on the go. For a burst of fruity goodness, our Blueberry Buckle is always a hit. And for an incredibly easy yet delicious crumb cake, try our Cake Mix Crumb Cake.

Decadent Maple Walnut Coffee Cake with a generous streusel topping and maple icing drizzle.

There’s something truly magical about a warm slice of coffee cake paired with a steaming hot beverage, especially on a crisp, chilly day. It evokes feelings of warmth, nostalgia, and cozy conversations. For many, coffee cake isn’t just a pastry; it’s a quintessential comfort food that brings joy and a sense of home. This particular Maple Walnut Coffee Cake recipe transcends expectations, offering an unparalleled taste experience that will quickly become a cherished favorite.

A slice of Maple Walnut Coffee Cake revealing the creamy filling and tender crumb.

Beyond its incredible taste, the moment this luscious maple walnut coffee cake begins to bake, your home will be filled with the most enchanting fragrance of maple. This sweet, woodsy aroma instantly transports you to scenic autumn walks, rustling piles of fallen leaves, and the comforting glow of bonfires. It’s a sensory journey that enhances the entire baking and eating experience, making every moment truly special. This cake is not just a dessert; it’s an invitation to savor the season and create lasting memories with loved ones.

Warm Maple Walnut Coffee Cake cooling on a wire rack, steam gently rising.

Mastering the Maple Walnut Coffee Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting this exquisite Maple Walnut Coffee Cake is a rewarding process, and with our clear, simple instructions, you’ll achieve perfect results every time. Before you begin, gather all your ingredients and necessary bakeware. You’ll need softened butter, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, warm cinnamon, a pinch of salt, baking powder, baking soda, milk, tangy buttermilk, creamy cream cheese, fresh eggs, fragrant maple flavoring (like Mapleine), rich maple syrup, and crucial toasted walnuts. For equipment, a springform pan is highly recommended for its ability to produce beautifully shaped cakes that are easy to release, resulting in elegant wedges. Alternatively, a 9x9x2-inch square pan works wonderfully if you prefer square slices. Whichever pan you choose, rest assured, the delicious outcome is guaranteed.

Let’s Get Baking: The Four Flavorful Layers

This extraordinary coffee cake is built upon four distinct, yet perfectly harmonious, components:

  • The irresistibly crumbly streusel topping
  • A velvety smooth cream cheese filling
  • The tender, moist cake batter
  • A sweet, glistening maple glaze

We’ll begin our journey by preparing the delightful streusel, the crown jewel of this coffee cake.

Bowl of streusel mixture with melted butter, sugar, cinnamon, flour, salt, and walnuts.

To create the perfect streusel, combine melted butter, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, all-purpose flour, a pinch of salt, and finely chopped toasted walnuts in a medium bowl. Stir these ingredients until they are just combined and resemble coarse crumbs. Set this fragrant mixture aside; it will be used later to create a delightful texture contrast in your cake.

Cream cheese and egg yolk being beaten together in a small bowl for the filling.

Next on our list is the creamy and decadent cream cheese filling. In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese together with the egg yolk until the mixture is completely smooth and free of any lumps. This smooth consistency is key to a luxurious filling.

Maple flavoring and maple syrup being added to the cream cheese mixture.

To infuse the filling with that signature maple flavor, add a teaspoon of maple flavoring (such as Mapleine for an intense boost) and a quarter cup of pure maple syrup. Continue to beat the mixture until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the filling is light, airy, and wonderfully fragrant. Set this aside as well, ready for assembly.

Butter and sugar being creamed in a large mixing bowl for the coffee cake batter.

Now it’s time to prepare the heart of our creation: the moist and flavorful cake batter. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Cream these ingredients together using an electric mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This creaming process, which should take at least two minutes, incorporates air into the butter and sugar, resulting in a tender cake. After creaming, add the two large eggs, the egg white you reserved from the filling, and another teaspoon of maple flavoring. Beat thoroughly until everything is well incorporated and the mixture is smooth.

Half of the dry ingredients being gently folded into the coffee cake batter.

In a separate bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. These leavening agents are crucial for the cake’s rise and tender texture. Gradually add half of this dry mixture to your wet cake batter, stirring gently by hand until just incorporated. It’s important not to overmix at this stage.

Buttermilk being stirred into the coffee cake batter, alternating with dry ingredients.

Follow by gently stirring in half of the buttermilk. The buttermilk adds a lovely tang and helps activate the baking soda, contributing to a wonderfully soft crumb. Repeat this process with the remaining dry ingredients and the rest of the buttermilk. Remember the golden rule of baking: do not overmix the batter. A few small wisps of flour showing are perfectly fine; overmixing can lead to a tough cake. The goal is to combine just until no dry streaks remain.

First layer of coffee cake batter spread evenly in a prepared springform pan.

Now, let’s bring all these incredible components together to assemble our magnificent coffee cake in the pan. Begin by spreading half of the prepared cake batter evenly into your greased and floured springform pan. Ensure the batter reaches all the way to the sides, creating a sturdy base for the layers to come.

Cream cheese filling being poured over the first layer of coffee cake batter.

Carefully pour the creamy maple walnut cream cheese filling over the first layer of cake batter. Gently spread it out, bringing it almost to the edges of the batter. This thin layer of rich filling is one of the delicious surprises hidden within the cake.

A cup of streusel topping sprinkled over the cream cheese filling layer.

Next, take approximately one cup of your prepared streusel mixture and sprinkle it generously over the cream cheese filling. This adds a fantastic texture and another layer of maple-walnut goodness within the cake.

Remaining coffee cake batter dolloped over the streusel and cream cheese layers.

Now, carefully spoon dollops of the remaining cake batter over the streusel and cream cheese layers. Gently spread the batter to cover the streusel. A slightly wet offset spatula can be very helpful here, allowing you to spread the batter without disturbing the layers too much. Don’t worry if a little of the streusel peeks through or shifts slightly; it will simply create a beautiful, rippled effect in the baked cake, adding to its homemade charm.

Final layer of streusel being sprinkled over the top of the assembled coffee cake before baking.

Finally, sprinkle the remaining streusel mixture evenly over the entire top surface of the cake, gently smoothing it with a knife or spatula for an even distribution. For added stability during baking and easy transfer, place your springform pan on a baking sheet. Bake for approximately 50 minutes, or until the top is just beginning to turn a beautiful golden brown, and the center no longer jiggles when gently moved. A toothpick inserted into the cake portion (avoiding the cream cheese layer) should come out clean. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before carefully removing the side of the springform pan. This crucial cooling time allows the cake to set properly.

To complete your delightful creation, whisk together the ingredients for the maple icing: melted butter, milk, maple flavoring, and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Once the cake has cooled completely, drizzle this sweet, fragrant icing generously over the top. The icing adds a final touch of maple richness and a beautiful sheen, making your Maple Walnut Coffee Cake truly irresistible.

Maple Walnut Coffee Cake drizzled with maple icing, ready to be served.

Essential Supplies for Your Maple Walnut Coffee Cake Journey

Calphalon Nonstick Spring Form Pan, 9 in.Fat Daddio’s Anodized Aluminum Square Cake Pan, 9x9x2 in.Ateco Ultra Offset SpatulaNordic Ware Round Cooling Rack, 13 InchUncle Luke’s Pure Maple Syrup, 32 Ounce

More Delicious Fall Breakfast Ideas:

  • Pumpkin Spice Pancakes: A cozy and flavorful start to any autumn morning.
  • Soft Apple Cookies: Chewy, sweet, and spiced — perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.
  • Pumpkin French Toast Sticks: A fun, dippable twist on a classic breakfast, infused with pumpkin spice.
  • Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes: The ultimate classic, light and airy, for a hearty breakfast.
  • Easy Crockpot Apple Butter: A simple, slow-cooked spread that captures the essence of fall apples.
  • Gingerbread Pancakes: Spiced pancakes that bring the festive flavors of gingerbread to your breakfast table.
Top-down view of a beautifully baked Maple Walnut Coffee Cake.

Maple Walnut Coffee Cake

Author: Jaclyn

Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 50 mins | Cool Time: 30 mins | Total: 1 hr 35 mins

This Maple Walnut Coffee Cake has a thin layer of cream cheese filling, enhanced with toasted walnuts and maple. A generous amount of crumbly streusel on top is drizzled with maple icing, adding layers of flavor that enchant but don’t overpower.

Servings: 12 servings

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Ingredients

Streusel:

  • ¼ cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup finely chopped toasted walnuts

Filling:

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 egg yolk, reserve the white for the cake
  • 1 teaspoon maple flavoring, like Mapleine
  • ¼ cup maple syrup

Cake:

  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, plus the egg white reserved from filling
  • 1 teaspoon maple flavoring
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk

Icing:

  • 1 Tablespoon melted butter
  • 2 Tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon maple flavoring
  • 1 cup confectioners sugar

Instructions

  1. Streusel: In a small pan on low heat (or in a bowl in the microwave) melt 1/4 cup butter. Remove from heat and stir in sugar, cinnamon, flour, salt, and walnuts. Set aside.
  2. Filling: In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and egg yolk until smooth and creamy. Add maple flavoring and maple syrup and beat well.
  3. Cake: Heat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour (or spray with an oil/flour combination baking spray) a 9-inch springform pan. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy – at least 2 minutes. Add 2 eggs, reserved egg white, and maple flavoring. Beat well. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt). Add half the dry ingredients to the cake batter and stir just until incorporated. Gently stir in half of the buttermilk. Repeat with remaining dry ingredients and buttermilk. Do not over stir. A few wisps of flour showing is fine.
  4. Assemble cake in pan: Put half of the batter in the prepared pan and spread evenly, all the way to the sides of the pan. Pour cream cheese filling over the top of the batter and bring almost to the edges. Sprinkle with 1 cup of streusel. Drop remaining batter onto streusel in dollops and carefully spread. A slightly-wet offset spatula helps. Don’t worry if a little of the streusel shifts, it will just give the filling a pretty ripple effect. Sprinkle remaining streusel over the entire top, smoothing with a knife or spatula.
  5. Bake: Place cake on baking sheet for stability, and bake approximately 50 minutes, until the top is just beginning to turn golden and it doesn’t jiggle when you move it.
  6. Cool: Cool on a rack for at least 30 minutes before removing the side of the springform pan.
  7. Icing: Whisk together all of the icing ingredients (melted butter, milk, maple flavoring, confectioners sugar) and drizzle over cooled cake.

Nutrition

Calories: 528kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 311mg | Potassium: 151mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 613IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 2mg

Close-up of a slice of Maple Walnut Coffee Cake on a plate.

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A delicious Maple Walnut Coffee Cake with maple icing, perfect for a Pinterest pin.