Make a walnut cake
You will need:
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200g unsalted butter, softened
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200g caster sugar
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4 eggs
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200g self-raising flour
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1/2 tsp baking powder
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100g walnut pieces, crushed
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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A pinch of salt
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100g walnut halves (to decorate)
For the icing
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150g cream cheese, softened
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50g unsalted butter, softened
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200g icing sugar
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1 tsp vanilla extract
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan. Grease and line a 20cm round cake tin with baking paper.
2. Put the butter and sugar in a large bowl. Cream together using a handheld mixer until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold until fully combined.
5. Stir in the crushed walnuts and vanilla extract.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and spread it out evenly.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
8. Remove from the oven and leave the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. To make the icing, put the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl and beat together using handheld mixer until smooth and creamy.
10. Sift in the icing sugar and beat until well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.
11. Once the cake has cooled completely, spread a layer of cream cheese icing on top of the cake and decorate with the walnut halves.
