Coconut Cardamom Cake with Tanzanian Inspiration
A moist, fragrant cake combining rich coconut and warm cardamom flavors, reminiscent of East African desserts. This African-inspired recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cardamom into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- optional powdered sugar (for dusting)
The bakeware we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware Sets in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 1/2 tsp ground cardamom, and 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut until combined.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add 3 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Step 3: Reduce mixer speed to low and add half of the dry ingredients, then 1/2 cup coconut milk, then the remaining dry ingredients. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract until just combined.
- Step 4: Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Step 5: Optional: Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar before serving for a light, elegant finish.









