Ethiopian Coffee-Spiced Chocolate Cake with Cardamom Buttercream
A moist chocolate cake infused with Ethiopian coffee and warm cardamom, topped with a fragrant cardamom buttercream frosting. This ethiopian-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar 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 450 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
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup, cooled strong brewed Ethiopian coffee
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup, softened unsalted butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 2 tbsp milk
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, sift together 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1 tsp salt.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk 1 cup cooled strong brewed Ethiopian coffee, 1 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, and 2 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 4: Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined — do not overmix.
- Step 5: Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 6: While cakes bake, prepare cardamom buttercream: beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 3 cups powdered sugar and 1 1/2 tsp ground cardamom until fluffy. Add 2 tbsp milk gradually to reach spreadable consistency.
- Step 7: Cool cakes completely on wire racks. Spread the cardamom buttercream evenly between layers and over the top and sides of the cake before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ethiopian Coffee-Spiced Chocolate Cake with Cardamom Buttercream take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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-Spiced Chocolate Cake with Cardamom Buttercream?
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-Spiced Chocolate Cake with Cardamom Buttercream?
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-Spiced Chocolate Cake with Cardamom Buttercream 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-Spiced Chocolate Cake with Cardamom Buttercream?
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.
