Cardamom Coffee Cake

This homemade cardamom cake is soft, buttery, and full of warm, cozy flavor. Made with fragrant cardamom and tangy buttermilk, it has a tender crumb and a delicate sweetness. A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar before baking creates a lightly crisp, sweet topping. It’s a simple, comforting cake that’s perfect for a slow morning, an afternoon treat, or sharing with friends.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35–40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Yield: One 8×8-inch cake (9 servings)

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250 g) flour

• ¾ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• 2 teaspoons ground cardamom

• ½ cup buttermilk or whole milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar

• 12 tablespoons (170 g) unsalted butter, softened

• 1½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 2 large egg yolks

• 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar, for topping

• Powdered sugar for serving

  
  

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and ground cardamom. Set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, this takes a couple minutes.

4. Add the eggs and egg yolks, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

5. Add the buttermilk and mix.

6. Add the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

7. Spread the batter evenly into your prepared baking pan. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of cinnamon sugar evenly over the top.

8. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

9. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15–20 minutes before slicing. Sprinkle the top with powdered sugar.

10. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature and enjoy!

Notes

Room temperature ingredients: For the best texture, make sure your butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature before mixing.

Cardamom: Ground cardamom gives this cake its signature warm, slightly floral flavor. For the freshest flavor, use recently ground cardamom.

Don’t overmix: Once the flour is added, mix just until combined to keep the cake soft and tender.

Cinnamon sugar topping: Sprinkling cinnamon sugar over the batter before baking creates a delicate, sweet crust that pairs beautifully with the cardamom.

Storage: Store the cake tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Freezing: Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.