Cardamom Coffee Cake Recipe Snack On Meat

My First Cardamom Cake

I made my first cardamom coffee cake over forty years ago. I was so nervous. I remember my hands shaking a little.

But the smell that filled my kitchen was magical. It was warm and sweet. I knew I had created something special. That cake became a family favorite for Sunday mornings.

A Spice with a Story

Cardamom is a wonderful spice. It has a cozy, lemony kind of smell. It makes everything feel a bit more fancy.

Using it in baking connects us to faraway places. This matters because food is a way to travel without leaving home. What is a spice that makes you feel cozy?

Let’s Talk About the Topping

Do not skip the sugar and spice topping. It creates a wonderful, crunchy crust. That first bite with the crunchy top is the best part.

I mix the topping first and set it aside. This little step makes the whole process so easy. I still laugh at how I used to forget this step and scramble later.

The Secret to a Soft Cake

The secret is the sour cream. It makes the cake so soft and moist. Every single time.

Combining the wet and dry ingredients gently is key. This matters because over-mixing makes a tough cake. We want a tender, happy cake. Fun fact: Room temperature butter mixes in smoothly and makes your cake rise better!

The Best Time to Eat It

Let the cake cool for just a bit. About 15 minutes is perfect. It will be still a little warm.

That is the perfect time to eat a slice. The flavors are all awake and singing. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Sharing warm cake with someone you love is a simple joy. This matters because these small moments are what we remember.

Your Kitchen, Your Rules

Baking is not about being perfect. It is about making something with your hands. Did you try this cake? What did you think?

Maybe you like more cinnamon. Or maybe you want to add some nuts. That is the beauty of it. Tell me, what is your favorite thing to bake on a quiet morning?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Granulated Sugar (for topping)	¼ cup
Ground Cardamom (for topping)	1 teaspoon
Ground Cinnamon (for topping)	¼ teaspoon
Vegetable Oil	4 tablespoons
Large Eggs	3
Sour Cream	½ cup
Vanilla Extract	1 tablespoon
Granulated Sugar (for cake)	¾ cup
Cake Flour	2 cups	Spooned & leveled
Baking Powder	½ teaspoon
Kosher Salt	½ teaspoon
Ground Cardamom (for cake)	1 tablespoon
Ground Cinnamon (for cake)	1 teaspoon
Unsalted Butter	16 tablespoons (1 cup)	Softened to room temperature

My Cozy Cardamom Coffee Cake

Hello, my dear! Come sit with me for a minute. I want to tell you about my favorite coffee cake. It fills the whole kitchen with a warm, spicy smell. It reminds me of my own grandma’s house. She always had a cake waiting for us. This one is extra special because of the cardamom. Doesn’t that sound fancy? It just makes everything feel cozy and happy. Let’s bake it together.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups cake flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Topping

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Step 1: First, let’s get our pan ready. Turn your oven on to 350°F. That’s the perfect cozy temperature. Grease up a 9×9 inch pan. I just use my fingers and a little butter. It feels like playing in the mud! This makes sure our cake doesn’t stick. (A hard-learned tip: Lining the pan with parchment paper is a magic trick. The cake just lifts right out!).

Step 2: Now for the fun part, the topping! In a small bowl, mix the sugar, cardamom, and cinnamon. I love the colors together. It looks like sweet, spicy sand. This will make the top of our cake crunchy and sweet. Set this lovely mixture aside for later. We will need it for a surprise.

Step 3: Let’s mix our wet things. Grab a medium bowl. Whisk the oil, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla together. Keep whisking until it’s all smooth and friendly. The vanilla smell is just wonderful. It makes me think of happy birthdays. This mixture will make our cake so moist and tender.

Step 4: Time for the dry team. In your big mixer bowl, put the sugar, cake flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Mix them on low for a minute. You just want everyone to get to know each other. I still laugh at the time I used salt instead of sugar. What’s your biggest kitchen mistake? Share below!

Step 5: Now add the soft butter to the dry mix. Mix it until it looks like wet sand. You shouldn’t see any big butter lumps. This step makes the cake’s texture just perfect. It feels a little strange, but trust me. It’s the secret to a wonderful crumb.

Step 6: Let’s bring it all together! Turn the mixer to low. Slowly pour in your wet ingredients. Once it’s all in, mix on medium just until it’s smooth. Don’t mix too much! A few streaks are okay. Over-mixing makes a tough cake. We want it soft and light.

Step 7: Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Spread it out nicely. Now, remember that sugary topping? Sprinkle it all over the top. It’s like a sweet, spicy blanket. Bake for 25-30 minutes. The cake is done when the top is golden and the center doesn’t jiggle. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

Step 8: The hardest part is waiting! Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes. I know it’s tempting to cut right in. But this lets it settle. It is absolutely best when it’s still a little warm. The flavors just sing.

Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: 45–60 minutes
Yield: 9 servings
Category: Dessert, Snack

Three Fun Twists to Try

This cake is like a good friend. It’s wonderful as it is, but it’s also happy to change. Sometimes I like to play with the recipe. It keeps things exciting in the kitchen. Here are a few ideas I’ve loved over the years. They are all so simple and delicious.

Lemon Zest Sparkle: Add the zest of one lemon to the batter. It makes the cardamom taste even brighter and happier.

Berry Burst: Gently fold a handful of fresh blueberries into the batter. They become little juicy surprises in every single bite.

Nutty Crunch: Mix some chopped pecans or walnuts right into the spiced sugar topping. It adds a wonderful crunch.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Masterpiece

Now, how should we eat this lovely cake? I have a few favorite ways. A simple dusting of powdered sugar looks like a light snowfall. For a real treat, a dollop of whipped cream is divine. My grandson loves it with a side of fresh strawberries. They cut through the sweetness so nicely.

What to drink with it? A hot cup of coffee is the classic choice. It’s a coffee cake, after all! For a cozy, non-alcoholic option, try a cold glass of milk or a chai tea latte. The spices in the chai are a perfect match. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Coffee Cake Cozy

This cake is best served warm. But it keeps well for days. Let it cool completely first. Then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap.

You can store it on the counter for two days. For longer storage, freeze it. I slice it first and wrap each piece. This way, you can grab one slice anytime.

I once froze a whole cake for my grandson’s visit. He was so happy to have a warm slice with milk. To reheat, just warm a slice in the microwave for 15 seconds. It will taste fresh from the oven.

Batch cooking matters because life gets busy. Having a treat ready makes any day feel special. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for a Perfect Cake

Sometimes bakes do not go as planned. Do not worry. Here are easy fixes. First, if your cake is dry, you may have over-baked it.

Set a timer for the lower end of the baking time. I remember when I forgot my timer once. The edges got a little dark. We just sliced them off and enjoyed the soft middle.

Second, if your topping sinks, the batter might be too thin. Make sure your butter is soft, not melted. Third, if the flavor is weak, your spices might be old. A fun fact: Spices lose their power after about six months. Fresh spices make all the difference.

Fixing small problems builds your cooking confidence. It also makes your food taste so much better. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Coffee Cake Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Use a gluten-free flour blend made for baking. It works very well.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. You can mix the dry ingredients the night before. This saves time in the morning.

Q: What if I do not have sour cream? A: Plain yogurt is a great swap. It will still be moist and tender.

Q: Can I make a bigger cake? A: You can double the recipe. Use a 9×13 inch pan and bake a bit longer.

Q: Any optional tips? A: A sprinkle of chopped nuts on top adds a nice crunch. Which tip will you try first?

Bake, Share, and Enjoy

I hope you love making this cake. It always fills my kitchen with a wonderful smell. Sharing food is one of life’s great joys.

I would love to see your creation. It makes me so happy to see your baking adventures. Please share a picture with me if you can.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! I cannot wait to see your beautiful coffee cakes. Happy cooking!

—Olivia Hartwell.