12 Irresistible Reasons to Bake This Spectacular Spiced Coffee & Cardamom Layer Cake

Spiced Coffee & Cardamom Layer Cake is a truly delicious treat that brings together bold coffee richness, fragrant cardamom, and cozy warming spices. I’m so glad you’re here to bake this showstopper—be sure to subscribe for more cozy, aromatic recipes straight to your inbox!

Overview of Recipe Content

What this recipe is and where it fits

This luscious layer cake is perfect for autumn gatherings, holiday dinners, or a special weekend treat with friends. It’s elegant yet comforting, with Middle Eastern-inspired flavors that shine.

Why you’ll love it

• The coffee adds a robust, layered flavor.
• Cardamom offers a unique, aromatic depth.
• Beautiful layered presentation that impresses.

What it tastes like

A moist, tender crumb infused with bold espresso, warm spices, and sweet vanilla—balanced and enchanting in every bite.

Health or seasonal relevance

Moderately sweet and rich (no frosting heavy on sugar), with spices that evoke fall comfort and celebration.

Ingredients

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• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 ½ tsp ground cardamom
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground ginger (optional)
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup brewed espresso, cooled
• 1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

Tools needed

• Three 8″ (or two 9″) cake pans
• Electric mixer
• Mixing bowls
• Wire rack
• Cooling rack

Suggested substitutions & additions

• Substitute coffee with strong black tea or chicory concentrate
• Swap sour cream for full-fat yogurt or crème fraîche
• Add chopped toasted pecans for crunch
• Frost with espresso buttercream or mascarpone whipped cream

How to Make Spiced Coffee & Cardamom Layer Cake

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1. Prep & Preheat
   Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease and line your pans.
2. Combine dry ingredients
   Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger.
3. Cream butter and sugars
   Beat softened butter with brown and granulated sugar until light and fluffy—about 3–4 minutes.
4. Add eggs & vanilla
   Mix in eggs one at a time, then beat in vanilla. The mixture will smell so inviting already!
5. Alternate adding dry mix and wet ingredients
   In three parts, alternate adding dry mix and the espresso-sour cream mixture, beginning and ending with dry mix. Do not overmix—just until incorporated.
6. Bake
   Divide batter evenly among pans. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool
   Let cakes rest 10 minutes in pans, then turn onto wire rack to cool completely.
8. Frost
   Stack layers with buttercream, mascarpone, or whipped cream. Lightly press in chopped nuts or dust the top with cocoa or cinnamon.

What to Serve with Spiced Coffee & Cardamom Layer Cake

• Espresso or Turkish coffee to mirror the flavors
• Masala chai latte complements the spices beautifully
• Fresh figs, pears, or apple compote
• Lightly sweetened whipped cream or crème fraîche dollops

Tips for Making It Perfect

• Bring eggs and butter to room temp for even mixing.
• Don’t skip the coffee—it deepens flavor without tasting like coffee.
• Allow layers to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
• Chill cake for 30 minutes after frosting for cleaner cuts.

Storage Instructions

• At room temp (covered): 2–3 days.
• Refrigerator (in airtight container): up to 5 days.
• Freezing: Freeze unfrosted layers up to 2 months—wrap tightly, thaw overnight in fridge.

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General Information

Layer cakes with coffee and cardamom have roots in Middle Eastern and Scandinavian baking traditions, where warming spices and rich textures are treasured. The espresso’s bitterness highlights the sweetness of the cake, while the spices lend depth. Perfect for holiday seasonal menus—and it smells like love in the oven!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use 3 pans?
Not necessarily—two 9″ pans work just fine. Bake a few extra minutes and watch closely.

Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Add a tsp of xanthan gum if blend doesn’t include it.

How can I make it vegan?
Replace butter with vegan spread, eggs with flax “eggs” (3 tbsp flaxseed + 9 tbsp water), and sour cream with coconut yogurt.

Why did my cake sink?
Likely underbaked—the center wasn’t set. Next time, test it at the 25-minute mark and add time if needed.

Can I omit ginger?
Absolutely—ginger is optional and adds a hint of warmth, but cardamom and cinnamon do the heavy lifting.

Conclusion

In every luscious bite of this Spiced Coffee & Cardamom Layer Cake, you get warm spices, coffee depth, and pure comfort. If you loved this, you might enjoy my Chocolate Espresso Bundt Cake or Cardamom Honey Cake next! Thanks for baking with me—can’t wait to hear how yours turned out!

Interactive Elements

I’d love to see your beautiful cake! Leave a review or comment below, and don’t forget to tag your creation on Pinterest ➤ https://www.pinterest.com/poulefrecipe/ 💕 Share the joy and flavor!

Nutritional Information

Per Serving (1 slice of 12)	Calories	Fat	Sat Fat	Carbs	Fiber	Sugar	Protein
Approx.	380 kcal	18 g	10 g	48 g	1 g	30 g	5 g

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