Honey-Sesame Ethiopian Coffee Cake with Cardamom
A moist coffee cake inspired by Ethiopian coffee culture, infused with fragrant cardamom and topped with a golden honey-sesame glaze for a unique sweet finish. This african-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
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cardamom, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly combined.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add 2 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Step 3: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and 3/4 cup whole milk to the butter mixture in three parts, beginning and ending with flour. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract until just combined.
- Step 4: Pour the batter into a greased 9-inch round cake pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 5: While the cake bakes, gently warm 1/4 cup honey in a small saucepan over low heat, then stir in 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds.
- Step 6: Remove the cake from the oven and immediately brush the honey-sesame glaze evenly over the top. Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Sesame Ethiopian Coffee Cake with Cardamom 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 Honey-Sesame Ethiopian Coffee Cake with Cardamom?
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 Honey-Sesame Ethiopian Coffee Cake with Cardamom?
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 Honey-Sesame Ethiopian Coffee Cake with Cardamom 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 Honey-Sesame Ethiopian Coffee Cake with Cardamom?
African 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.
