Ethiopian-Inspired Coffee-Spiced Cardamom Cake
A moist cake infused with Ethiopian coffee and warm cardamom spice, celebrating the rich coffee culture of Ethiopia in a sweet, fragrant dessert. This ethiopian-inspired desserts 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
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 2 tbsp instant coffee granules
- 1/2 cup (113 g), softened unsalted butter
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cardamom, 2 tbsp instant coffee granules, and 1/4 tsp salt until evenly combined.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Beat in 3 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 5: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and 3/4 cup whole milk to the butter mixture in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix gently until just combined.
- Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the cake is golden.
- Step 7: Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ethiopian-Inspired Coffee-Spiced Cardamom 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-Inspired Coffee-Spiced Cardamom 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-Inspired Coffee-Spiced Cardamom 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-Inspired Coffee-Spiced Cardamom 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-Inspired Coffee-Spiced Cardamom 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.
