Ethiopian Coffee-Inspired Cardamom and Cinnamon Spice Cake
A moist and fragrant spice cake infused with Ethiopian coffee, cardamom, and cinnamon, topped with a light coffee glaze for a subtle sweetness. This ethiopian-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers all-purpose flour, teaspoons baking powder, teaspoon 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 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick), softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup, cooled strong brewed Ethiopian coffee
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon, dissolved in 1 teaspoon hot water instant coffee granules
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground cardamom, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes using a hand mixer.
- Step 3: Add 3 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Step 4: Alternately add the flour mixture and 1 cup cooled strong brewed Ethiopian coffee to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Step 5: Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cake cool completely.
- Step 6: For the glaze, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and 1 teaspoon dissolved instant coffee granules until smooth. Drizzle glaze over cooled cake before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ethiopian Coffee-Inspired Cardamom and Cinnamon Spice Cake take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Ethiopian Coffee-Inspired Cardamom and Cinnamon Spice Cake?
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 Ethiopian Coffee-Inspired Cardamom and Cinnamon Spice Cake?
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 Ethiopian Coffee-Inspired Cardamom and Cinnamon Spice Cake 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 Ethiopian Coffee-Inspired Cardamom and Cinnamon Spice Cake?
Ethiopian 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.
