Name: Cardamom Cake with Coffee Buttercream
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 12 slices
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.75 cups all-purpose flour; 1.5 teaspoons baking powder; 0.75 tsp Kosher salt; 2 teaspoons ground cardamom; 0.5 cup unsalted butter; 1 cup sugar; 2 eggs; 0.25 cup sour cream; 0.25 cup canola oil; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 0.5 cup whole milk; 1.5 tablespoons instant coffee; 2 tablespoons whole milk; 1 cup unsalted butter; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 pinch Kosher salt

Cardamom Cake with Coffee Buttercream cover

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Cardamom Cake with Coffee Buttercream

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

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Cake

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line three 6-inch cake pans with parchment paper and grease with neutral oil or baking spray.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and cardamom together in a small bowl. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time until thoroughly mixed. Then, mix in the sour cream, oil, and vanilla extract.

Pour half the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, followed by half of the milk. Mix on low just until combined. Repeat with remaining flour mixture and milk, stirring just until the batter comes together and there are no more dry spots. Don't over-mix! Then, divide the batter evenly between the three cake pans.

Bake the cakes for 18-21 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes has a few moist crumbs on it. Let the cakes cool for a few minutes in the pan, and then release them from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.

Frosting

In a small bowl, whisk the instant coffee and milk together until the coffee is dissolved. Set aside.

Next, beat the butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl until a thick frosting forms.

Add the coffee mixture, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until the frosting is smooth. Then, turn the mixer on high and whip the frosting until fluffy, about 5 minutes.

Assemble and Frost

Using a serrated bread knife, cut the domes off of the tops of the cakes, if necessary.

Place one cake round on a plate or cake stand. Spread a thick layer of frosting on top. Then, top with another cake round. Add frosting to the second layer and top with the third cake round to make a three layer cake.

Frost the top and outside of the cake. Decorate as desired. Slice and enjoy!

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Bloom Your Cardamom 🌿
Toast the ground cardamom in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before adding to the batter to intensify its aromatic, floral notes and prevent a raw spice flavor.
Room Temperature is Non-Negotiable 🌡️
Ensure all ingredients—especially eggs, sour cream, and butter—are at room temperature for a perfectly emulsified batter that bakes into a uniformly fluffy, tender crumb.
Dissolve Coffee in Hot Liquid ☕
Mix instant coffee with a tablespoon of hot water before adding to the buttercream to fully dissolve the granules and achieve a smooth, deeply flavored frosting without grittiness.
Oil Plus Butter Method 🧈
The combination of canola oil and butter in the cake creates superior moisture and tenderness compared to butter alone, while the butter still delivers rich flavor and browning.
Chill Buttercream Before Frosting 🧊
Refrigerate the finished coffee buttercream for 15-20 minutes before spreading on the cake for easier application and a more polished, professional appearance that holds its shape.