Indian Cardamom Milk Cake Bake

In Indian kitchens, crushed cardamom and saffron often perfume milk-based sweets. This bake soaks a soft cake in three warm milks steeped with those spices for a fragrant, golden dessert.

Serves 8 · 20 min prep · 25 min cook

Estimate for one serving

• 410 cal
• 9g protein
• 58g carbs
• 16g fat
• 3g fiber

Every recipe here is free to read.

Ingredients

• 3 cups whole milk
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 8 cardamom pods, crushed
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/4 tsp saffron threads
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
2. 2In a saucepan combine the whole milk, condensed milk, evaporated milk, crushed cardamom pods, ground cardamom, and saffron; bring to a bare simmer over medium heat, then turn off and let steep 10 minutes.
3. 3Strain the warm spiced milk mixture into a large measuring jug and discard the pods; keep the milk warm.
4. 4In a mixing bowl cream the softened butter with the granulated sugar until light.
5. 5Beat in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla.
6. 6Whisk the flour and baking powder together and fold into the butter mixture just until a thick batter forms.
7. 7Spread the batter evenly in the prepared dish—it will look thin.
8. 8Bake 22 to 26 minutes until the cake is golden, springs back when touched, and a toothpick comes out clean.
9. 9Remove the cake from the oven and immediately poke holes all over with a skewer or fork.
10. 10Slowly pour the warm cardamom milk over the hot cake in several passes so it absorbs fully; the cake will look flooded at first.
11. 11Scatter sliced almonds on top and let the cake sit at room temperature 45 minutes, then chill at least 2 hours so it sets into a moist milk cake.
12. 12Dust with powdered sugar just before slicing and serving cold or cool.