Honey-Spiced Coffee Semolina Cake with Cardamom Glaze
A moist semolina cake infused with Ethiopian coffee and warm spices, topped with a fragrant cardamom-honey glaze. This ethiopian-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers semolina flour, all-purpose flour, instant espresso 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 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
- 1 1/2 cups semolina flour
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp instant espresso powder
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp water
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups semolina flour, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp instant espresso powder, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp ground cardamom until well combined.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, beat 3 large eggs with 1 cup granulated sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Slowly add 3/4 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 cup plain yogurt, 1/4 cup honey, and 1 tsp vanilla extract to the eggs, mixing well after each addition.
- Step 5: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Step 7: While the cake cools, prepare the glaze by whisking 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp water, and 1/2 tsp ground cardamom until smooth.
- Step 8: Drizzle the cardamom glaze over the cooled cake and let it set before serving this fragrant coffee-spiced semolina cake.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Spiced Coffee Semolina Cake with Cardamom Glaze 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-Spiced Coffee Semolina Cake with Cardamom Glaze?
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-Spiced Coffee Semolina Cake with Cardamom Glaze?
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-Spiced Coffee Semolina Cake with Cardamom Glaze 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-Spiced Coffee Semolina Cake with Cardamom Glaze?
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.
