Home Cook Together. Celebrate Life.

EthiopianAuthentic Cuisine

Spiced Tea Cake

Serves 4 to 6 Dessert vegetarian, Desserts

Spiced Tea Cake

In the bustling heart of Addis Ababa, Spiced Tea Cake graces the tables of cozy cafes, its scent weaving through the air to draw people in. This cake is a staple of everyday life, offering a warm slice of comfort that feels familiar yet special. It captures the essence of Ethiopian hospitality, inviting both locals and visitors to pause and enjoy a moment of simple pleasure.

Flavored with ground cardamom, the cake offers a gentle spice that mingles with the richness of butter and the sweetness of sugar. The crumb is tender and moist, a harmonious balance that makes each bite memorable. Perfect with a cup of Ethiopian coffee or tea, it embodies the casual elegance of a home-cooked treat, straightforward yet deeply satisfying.

Ingredients

  • 2 cupsall-purpose flour
  • 1 cupsugar
  • 1/2 cupbutter
  • 2eggs
  • 1 tspground cardamom
  • 1 tspbaking powder
  • 1/2 cupmilk

Method

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature by the time your batter is ready. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter, making sure to cover the bottom and sides evenly to prevent sticking.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup of butter and 1 cup of sugar. Use a wooden spoon or an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the batter, which will help the cake rise and achieve a tender texture.
  3. Add 2 eggs to the butter and sugar mixture, one at a time, beating well after each addition. This helps to fully incorporate the eggs and maintain the batter's smooth consistency.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tsp of ground cardamom, and 1 tsp of baking powder. Stir these dry ingredients together to ensure the cardamom and baking powder are evenly distributed, which will provide a consistent flavor and rise throughout the cake.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with 1/2 cup of milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing gently after each addition. This method helps prevent overmixing, which can make the cake dense.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully cooked and has a moist, tender crumb.
  7. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve the Spiced Tea Cake warm or at room temperature, allowing the cardamom aroma to invite everyone to enjoy a slice.
Cover of Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Ethiopian volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Buy the cookbook on Amazon Explore Ethiopian cuisine