Cinnamon Walnut Cake Recipes

Cinnamon Walnut Cake Recipes 

Few aromas are as comforting as the warm scent of cinnamon and toasted walnuts drifting through your kitchen. Cinnamon walnut cakes offer a perfect balance of sweet spice and nutty richness, making them ideal for everyday treats, family gatherings, or festive celebrations. Whether you’re looking for a cozy loaf, a decadent layer cake, or a simple coffee cake, these three recipes bring out the best of cinnamon and walnuts in delightfully different ways.

1. Classic Cinnamon Walnut Loaf

This moist, flavorful loaf is a must for lazy Sunday mornings or afternoon tea. It’s simple, deeply satisfying, and stores beautifully.

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup milk

1 cup chopped walnuts

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon extra cinnamon (for swirl)

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.

Alternately add the dry ingredients and the sour cream/milk mixture to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.

In a small bowl, combine the walnuts, brown sugar, and additional cinnamon.

Pour half the batter into the pan, sprinkle half the walnut mixture, and gently swirl with a knife. Add the remaining batter and top with the rest of the walnut mixture.

Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool for 10 minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire rack.

Serving suggestion: Serve slices warm with a slather of butter or a drizzle of honey.

Why you’ll love it: The sour cream keeps it tender, while the cinnamon-walnut swirl creates pockets of toasty sweetness in every slice.

2. Cinnamon Walnut Coffee Cake

Perfect for brunches and get-togethers, this coffee cake is layered with buttery cinnamon walnuts and topped with a delicate crumb topping.

Ingredients:

For the cake:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup buttermilk

For the filling:

1 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

For the crumb topping:

1/2 cup flour

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup butter, cold and diced

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Prepare the filling by mixing walnuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

For the crumb topping, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter until crumbly; set aside.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with buttermilk.

Pour half of the batter into the pan. Sprinkle half of the filling. Add the remaining batter and top with the rest of the filling, gently swirling it into the batter with a knife.

Sprinkle the crumb topping over the batter.

Bake for 40–45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Serving suggestion: Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Why you’ll love it: Each bite gives you a rich, buttery cake layered with sweet, crunchy walnuts and topped with irresistible crumbles.

3. Cinnamon Walnut Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

If you’re looking for something truly special, this show-stopping layer cake will impress everyone at your table.

Ingredients:

For the cake:

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

4 large eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 cup buttermilk

1 1/4 cups finely chopped walnuts

For the cream cheese frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1–2 tablespoons milk (as needed)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.

In a large bowl, cream butter with both sugars until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each, then add vanilla.

Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Stir in the walnuts.

Divide the batter evenly among the pans and smooth the tops.

Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

To make the frosting:

Beat the cream cheese and butter until creamy.

Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.

Add vanilla and enough milk to reach a spreadable consistency.

Assembly:

Spread frosting between layers, then frost the top and sides.

Decorate with extra chopped walnuts and a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.

Serving suggestion: Slice generously and serve with a cup of chai or spiced coffee.

Why you’ll love it: The creamy, tangy frosting pairs beautifully with the spiced cake layers, and the walnuts add a crunchy texture that takes this cake over the top.

Tips for Baking with Cinnamon and Walnuts

Toast the walnuts before adding them to your batter. This enhances their nutty flavor and keeps them crisp.

Use fresh cinnamon — ground cinnamon loses potency over time. For the most aromatic cakes, check the expiration date or grind your own from cinnamon sticks.

Room temperature ingredients (butter, eggs, milk) help cakes bake more evenly and create a finer crumb.

Don’t overmix the batter once the flour is added. Overmixing can cause the cake to be dense rather than tender.

Store cakes properly: Wrap in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Most cinnamon walnut cakes stay moist for 3–4 days.

Cinnamon walnut cakes are a celebration of simple, honest ingredients — butter, sugar, spice, and nuts — that come together to create unforgettable comfort. Whether you whip up a classic loaf, a welcoming coffee cake, or an elegant layer cake, each bite brings warmth, joy, and a taste of home.

Helpful Reading 

Homegrown Cabbage Smoothies and Juices for Gut Healing 

https://www.amazon.com/Homegrown-Cabbage-Smoothies-Juices-Health-ebook/dp/B0F6474KCT/

Organic Pest Control for 3 Sisters Gardening 

https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Control-Gardening-Homegrown-Vegetables-ebook/dp/B0F5ZCDY4S/

Salmon for the Active Soul 

https://www.amazon.com/Salmon-Active-Soul-Protein-Packed-Enthusiasts-ebook/dp/B0F5DWJZ66/

The Low Carb Homegrown Cabbage Cookbook: Keto and Diabetic -Friendly Recipes 

https://www.amazon.com/Low-Carb-Homegrown-Cabbage-Cookbook-Diabetic-ebook/dp/B0F63ZF9BT