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Almond Cardamom Cake is an Indian-inspired Afternoon Tea cake that pairs perfectly with a hot cup of masala chai.
Whenever I bake for my mom, it has to be an unfrosted cake, or as my mom likes to say – “dry cake.” She just refuses to eat any cakes with frosting. Now, let me assure you there is nothing dry about this Almond Tea Cake, it’s moist, fragrant, and delicious.
What is Almond Tea Cake?
Almond Tea Cake is a simple vanilla buttery cake flavored with sliced almonds, cardamom, and unfrosted. It pairs beautifully with a cup of hot Kadak Masala Chai.
Can I make this recipe vegan, gluten-free?
for vegan: Skip the butter and use vegan butter. Skip the milk and use nut-free unsweetened milk.
Can I make this cake nut-free?
Absolutely. Simply omit the almonds and go nut-free.
What other nuts can I use instead of almonds?
Pistachios would work beautifully. Cashews and walnuts will work too.
I would avoid peanuts and pecans.
Tips on making Almond Cardamom Tea Cake:
- You need sliced almonds, not chopped. You can easily find them at any grocery store.
- Make sure the butter, eggs, and milk are all at room temperature. This results in a lighter cake.
- Do NOT over-mix the batter else the result will be a tough cake. Just mix the ingredients until well combined.
- Fold, do not mix, fold the sliced almonds into the batter at the end. Also, top the cake with additional sliced almonds.
Almond Cardamom Cake is:
Light & airy
Fragrant
Delicious
Perfect for Mother’s Day
Ideal for Indian Afternoon Tea
Pair with Kadak Masala Chai
How to make Almond Cardamom Cake recipe
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine the dry ingredients – all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cardamom, and salt.
3. Take a stick of butter at room temperature.
4. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter until it is creamy.
5. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
6. Add the eggs until the batter is creamy.
7. Now add the vanilla extract and beat.
8-9 Add the dry ingredients and milk, alternating between the dry and wet – start with the dry and end with dry.
10. Batter is done.
11. Add the sliced almonds and fold them into the batter.
12. Grease an 8″ round springform pan, and pour the batter into the baking tray.
13. Top with more sliced almonds. Into the oven for 30-35 minutes.
14. Cake is done. Cut into 12 slices. Enjoy with tea!
More Indian Afternoon Tea Recipes!
- Indian Afternoon Tea
- Tea Party Sandwiches – Indian-inspired
- Mango Mousse
- Quinoa Bhel Salad
- Rava Dhokla
- Eggless Mawa Cake
- Rose Water Cake with Almonds and Rose Buttercream
Almond Cardamom Cake
EQUIPMENT
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp cardamom
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds, inside batter
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds, for topping
- dusting of powdered sugar, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine the dry ingredients – all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cardamom, and salt.
- Take a stick of butter at room temperature.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the butter until it is creamy.
- Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs until the batter is creamy.
- Now add the vanilla extract and beat.
- 8-9 Add the dry ingredients and milk, alternating between the dry and wet – start with the dry and end with dry.
- Batter is done.
- Add the sliced almonds and fold them into the batter.
- Grease a found springform pan and pour the batter into the pan.
- Top with more sliced almonds. Into the oven for 30-35 minutes.
- Cake is done. Cut into 12 slices. Enjoy with tea!
Can you make this without eggs? What would you substitute it with?
HI Pam, Yes, a few people have. Please replace 2 eggs with full-fat whole milk yogurt (not Greek yogurt). Let me know. Thanks.
This cake is delicious! My girls and I had it as suggested, with a cup of chai. It was a perfect afternoon treat. It is just sweet enough, and we did add a little extra cardamom as it’s one of my favorite spices.
I made this for a friends birthday …
about doubled the cardamom — added a bit of cinnamon
and a bit of honey …
I made a lemon glaze — just lemon juice and confectionary sugar
put it in a squirt bottle to drizzle on the cake …
the cake came out amazing and i think the honey and cinnamon
added a lot to it … people truly enjoyed ….
thank you for the recipe!!