Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Coffee Cake with Cardamom and Cinnamon
Moist coffee cake infused with warm Ethiopian-inspired spices like cardamom and cinnamon, topped with a crunchy cinnamon sugar streusel. This ethiopian-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda 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
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 cup (1 stick), softened unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 2 tbsp, melted extra unsalted butter
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1 tsp ground cardamom until evenly combined.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup granulated sugar for 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add 2 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Step 3: Mix in 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt and 1 tsp pure vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 4: Gradually add the dry flour mixture alternating with 1/2 cup whole milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined.
- Step 5: Pour the batter into a greased 9-inch round cake pan. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ground cloves, and 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter to form the streusel topping.
- Step 6: Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the batter. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden.
- Step 7: Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Coffee Cake with Cardamom and Cinnamon 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 Spiced Coffee Cake with Cardamom and Cinnamon?
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 Spiced Coffee Cake with Cardamom and Cinnamon?
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 Spiced Coffee Cake with Cardamom and Cinnamon 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 Spiced Coffee Cake with Cardamom and Cinnamon?
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.
