Cardamom Cake

🧾 Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp ground cardamom (green cardamom pods freshly ground, if possible)
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup plain yogurt (or sour cream)
• ¼ cup whole milk

Optional Add-ins:

• 2 tbsp chopped pistachios or almonds (for crunch)
• Zest of 1 orange (for citrusy aroma)

For the Glaze (optional but recommended):

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsp milk or orange juice
• Pinch of ground cardamom

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven & Prep Pan:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease and flour an 8-inch round or loaf pan (or line with parchment paper).

2. Mix Dry Ingredients:

• In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cardamom.
• Add citrus zest or nuts if using.

3. Cream Butter & Sugar:

• In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 mins).
• Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
• Stir in vanilla.

4. Combine & Mix:

• Add half the dry mixture to the wet, followed by yogurt and milk.
• Mix in remaining dry ingredients until just combined (don’t overmix).

5. Bake:

• Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
• Bake for 35–45 minutes (depending on pan), or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn onto a rack.

6. Make the Glaze:

• Whisk together powdered sugar, cardamom, and milk/juice until smooth.
• Drizzle over cooled cake. Let it set before slicing.