Updated 07.30.25
My first encounter with cardamom was in, I think it was High School. My best friend’s mother was Swedish and their favorite cake was ‘Kardemumma’. They had this secret, special Swedish ingredient; seeds from these funny looking pods, to flavor the cake. It was and still is absolutely delicious and for me it was love at first sight. Actually it was love at first whiff and confirmed by first bite. At that time, I did not know that Kardemumma is Swedish for Cardamom and I had the distinct impression that it came all the way from Sweden.
Years and years later, when I was visiting Sweden on a business trip, I asked one of my colleagues, whether they ever heard of kardemumma. They laughed and said ‘you’ll see’. It was close to tea time in the afternoon and they always had their coffee and tea breaks together in their lunch room. Guess what they served – a cake with Cardamom. I was so surprised, because I couldn’t figure out how this coincidence was possible, then I learned that Cardamom is a ‘regular’ ingredient in Swedish baking recipe.
This is a wonderful cake to serve with coffee or tea, breakfast or as a light dessert when you want something homemade but not overly rich. Swedish Cardamom Cake has a quiet charm to it. It does not need a lot of decoration or extra fuss. Its strength is in its warmth, its fragrance, and the way a small slice can feel just right at a table for two.
Key Ingredients in This Recipe
You’ll find the complete list of ingredients and exact quantities in the recipe below.
- Breadcrumbs
- All-purpose flour
- Ground cloves
- Cinnamon
- Brown sugar
- Baking soda
- Ground cardamom
- Milk
- Butter
- Egg
How to Make Swedish Cardamom Cake
Step 1 – Mix all dry ingredients (all-purpose flour, salt, cinnamon, brown sugar, baking soda, ground cloves and ground cardamom).
Step 2 – In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients (milk, melted butter, egg yolks).
Step 3 – Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients in mix, leaving no dry spots.
Step 4 – Beat the egg whites until still peaks and add this to the mixture. Fold into the batter. Don’t mix longer than necessary.
Step 5– Grease a 9 x 5-inch cake form and dust with breadcrumbs.
Transfer the dough into the cake pan and level the top.
Bake in a preheated oven of 325 degrees F. for about 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Other Recipes with Cardamom to Try
Swedish Cardamom cake
Pin Recipe FacebookIngredients
- 1 tablespoon bread crumbs
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 3/4 cups light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cardamom
- 2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 2 whole eggs, separated
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 325°F. Butter a cake form (9×5 inches) and dust the inside with bread crumbs.
- Mix all dry ingredients (all-purpose flour, salt, cinnamon, brown sugar, baking soda, ground cloves and ground cardamom).
- Mix all wet ingredients (milk, melted butter, egg yolks).
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix well.
- Beat egg whites stiff and fold these into the batter. Don't overmix, but make sure you have no visible clouds of egg white.
- Pour the batter in the cake form and bake in the oven for about 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.