Ethiopian Coffee-Spiced Chocolate Cake with Cardamom Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-24 · Updated 2026-04-24

A moist chocolate cake infused with Ethiopian coffee and warm spices, topped with a delicate cardamom-infused glaze for a unique dessert. This Ethiopian-inspired recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder 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 380 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 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp instant coffee granules
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup (1 stick), softened unsalted butter
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• 2 tbsp milk

The coffee makers we’d brew this with → Best Coffee Makers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt.
3. Step 3: Dissolve 2 tbsp instant coffee granules in 1 cup boiling water and let cool slightly.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar until fluffy. Add 2 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
5. Step 5: Mix in 2 tsp vanilla extract.
6. Step 6: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and 1 cup buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined.
7. Step 7: Stir in the cooled coffee mixture until batter is smooth.
8. Step 8: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Step 9: While cake cools, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cardamom, and 2 tbsp milk until smooth to make glaze.
10. Step 10: Drizzle the cardamom glaze over the cooled cake before serving for a fragrant finish.