Wednesday, June 11, 2014

A Cardamom Snacking Cake


The days are never long enough as I try to get this old house and yard back in shape. Since we are gone the wettest months of the year, usually a total of seven months, that includes fall, all winter and a month or two of spring; things can get pretty overgrown. Not complaining, just saying. My goal is to have the yard and the house finished by the end of this month. Anyway, today on our morning walk Olive and I saw a few seals in the water at the Yachat's beach area where the where the river meets the ocean. It was interesting to observe them in their natural environment swimming side by side. As a couple with a dog were drawing close, away they went under the water.


Cardamom is a relatively new spice for me. I first purchased a bottle two years ago at the World Market. I love to collect new spices and this was very intriguing to me. The pods are a lovely green and there are little black seeds inside. Since that day I have made several recipes from grinding those very seeds. The flavor is strong and can taste a little spicy like ginger, there are some herbal tones and even a wisp of citrus. Cardamom can be used to compliment both sweet and savory dishes. It is also aromatic, your kitchen will smell heavenly.


Now to this snacking cake. I love snacking cakes, I mean who doesn't like the idea of cutting a little piece of cake throughout the day to snack on. This one is special, it's easy to throw together and most of the ingredients you probably have on hand. You can see little flecks of the cardamom throughout and it's packed full of flavor. Perfect with morning tea or coffee.


This recipe has been slightly adapted from Megan Gordon's website, "A Sweet Spoonful". Check there for original recipe.

Ingredients:

20 green cardamom pods (1/2 teaspoon of Cardamom)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup superfine sugar
8 ounces of unsalted butter (just melted)
1 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
Zest from 1 lemon
1/4 cup almonds (ground)

To prepare:

Preheat oven to 350F. Butter and flour one 9 inch cake pan.

Remove cardamon seeds from pod by lightly cracking, (I used the flat side of knife on top of pod and tapped lightly with fist to open). Then in a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle, grind seeds.

Add the ground seeds, flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda together in a small bowl, combine; set aside.

In a separate bowl add sugar and melted butter together, stir 1 minute until well combined. Add the yogurt, and mix well, then add the flour by thirds, folding carefully with a wooden spoon.

Grind almonds in food processor, or use ground almonds, add to batter along with the lemon zest. Stir until just mixed and then spoon into cake pan.


Bake 45 to 50 minutes until golden brown and cake springs back lightly. I used a regular clean toothpick to check the center for doneness and it came out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into slices and enjoy. Recipe calls for adding a sprinkling of powdered sugar which I left off.


Cheri Savory Spoon
Cheri Savory Spoon

Mysavoryspoon was first started in 2010 as a way to journal recipes that I had collected from cookbooks, magazines, family and friends. Most everything was savory, using legumes and whole grains. Along the way I discovered a love for baking. Now a couple times a month you might see some type of sweet pie or treat.

53 comments:

  1. That looks delicious! I love cardamom flavors, this cake sounds very tasty. :)

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  2. I too love cardamom ..I just just popped some buttermilk blueberry muffins in the oven(cause it got chilly all of a sudden)..and added cardamom..and yogurt to the recipe..
    So I am right on your cardamom:)

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    1. Ohhh, those sound lovely, blueberry and cardamom, I bet that is delicious!

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  3. I use cardamon a lot in Indian cooking, but it's wonderful in baked goods too. This is such a great looking cake. Good stuff -- thanks so much.

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    1. Thanks, everything I have tried so far with cardamon has been wonderful.

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  4. I love cardamom, iThe cake looks wonderful. I love adding yogurt to cakes, makes them so moist and delicious.

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    1. Hi Suzanne, I do too, it's a great ingredient to always have around thats for sure.

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  5. Your morning walk sounds so idyllic!
    I love cardamom in sweets. It's such a very Danish spice and it reminds me of my grandmother. I also love snacking cakes - the perfect way to keep you fueled for all that gardening you are doing!

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    1. HI Amy, our walks here are so wonderful. Did not know cardamom was a Danish spice, Though it started out very exotic, it is now one of my favorites. Thanks!

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  6. I love cardamom flavor. I m sure tis cake is rich in flavors:)

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    1. It was, love the little cardamom flecks throughout. Thanks!

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  7. Ooh, isn't it fun to randomly spot seals? Love the almond-cardamom-yogurt combination in that cake :). Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hi Julie, it is, normally I'm not the one to spot them, it is my husband. Thanks, the cake was good.

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  8. Last and only time I used cardamon was for a gingerbread...I like the spice. I should experiment a bit more...your idea looks just fine.

    ela h.
    Gray Apron

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    1. Hi Ela, I bet cardamom would be good in gingerbread. great idea!

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  9. It's fun to hear about your settling in. Lovely photos again. And it seems, once again, we are on the same page, both writing about cakes this week. I love the scent of cardamom. Your snack cake sounds delicious.

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    1. Thanks Dena, I know we seem to be on the same wave length for sure. Have a nice week-end!

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  10. Totally adorable that you mention a 'snacking' cake, I love this idea and totally need to implement it at my house lol! Also, how cute that you saw seals, I'm jealous!!! Sounds like you have a lot of fun gardening and work to do this summer :)

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    1. Hi Phi, yes love snacking cakes and sneaky snacks. Also having a great time in the garden.

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  11. I love that this is prepared with Greek yogurt and of course cardamom! The cake must be tasty.

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  12. Seals are so cute!

    A wonderful cake. Extremely fragrant and surely mighty delicious.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  13. I would love to have this under my cake dome, it sounds quite irresistible!

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  14. This looks marvelous, Cheri. Snacking cakes are perfect for taking along to a party or picnic. So many things you can top them with if you want to. Cardamom is a delicious spice!

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    1. Hi Barbara, you are so right, that is the wonderful thing about these types of cakes. Thanks for stopping by.

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  15. I love that you use whole cardamom and thick yogurt for this cake. This is definitely one I must try.

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    1. Hi Coco, there is definitely a lot of flavor here, delicious!

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  16. I love cardamom! I don't use it enough in my baking. This cake sounds wonderful.

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  17. Sounds delicious, Cheri! I love cardamom, and so does Mark!

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    1. Thanks great, makes things easier in the kitchen when everyone like the same things. Thanks for stopping by David!

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  18. I love the taste of cardamom so I know I would love this snacking cake! I agree, snacking cakes are the best kind because they're perfect morning, noon and night :)

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    1. Hi Susan, this was a great cake, and I do like the fact that they really are good any time. Thanks!

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  19. Forgot to mention the seals! What a glorious place to stay for the summer. The Pacific and all its glory must be amazing to take in on a daily basis.

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  20. You may have decided how to finish off my bean, herb and nut burgers! I was toying with the idea of using amchoor powder, but I think I'll keep that for chickpeas instead. Cardamom is one of my favourites. Hmm, will it go with herbs? Let's find out. Your cake sounds wonderful. Loving the almonds and citrus in there as well.

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    1. Hi Johnny, can't wait to try those burgers! Thanks for stopping by.

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  21. With the cardamom I can only imagine how amazing this must smell! YUM!

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    1. HI Pamela, cardamom is one of my new favorites right now!

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  22. I love any kind of yogurt cake - I love the faint tang and the added moistness. When we're in Tahoe, because of the high altitude I add yogurt whether a recipe calls for it or not. And cardamom is a fantastic spice. So, so versatile. And so distinctive. Pinning this one to make this week since we head to Tahoe tomorrow!

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    1. Hi Susan, Oh I love Tahoe, it's such a wonderful place, are you staying the rest of the summer? Thanks for stopping by.

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  23. ohh baking with yogurt is my favourite thing. and I love cardamom! well done.

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  24. OOps I meant to comment and I emailed you instead! This cake looks perfect. I love cardamon!

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    1. No problem, thanks Sheila, appreciate you stopping by.

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