Coffee-Infused Honey Cake with Ethiopian Spices
A moist honey cake lightly infused with Ethiopian coffee and warm spices, perfect for an aromatic dessert or afternoon treat. This african-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon 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
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup, cooled strong brewed Ethiopian coffee
- 1 cup honey
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- for dusting (optional) powdered sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tbsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground cardamom, 1/2 tsp ground cloves, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly combined.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, beat 3 large eggs, then whisk in 1 cup honey, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 3/4 cup cooled strong brewed Ethiopian coffee, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 4: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined without overmixing.
- Step 5: Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
- Step 6: Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar if desired before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Coffee-Infused Honey Cake with Ethiopian Spices take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Coffee-Infused Honey Cake with Ethiopian Spices?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Coffee-Infused Honey Cake with Ethiopian Spices?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Coffee-Infused Honey Cake with Ethiopian Spices for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Coffee-Infused Honey Cake with Ethiopian Spices?
African desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
