Swedish Cardamom Cake Recipe

Hi, I’m Sam from dishfoody.com, where Scandinavian fika meets warm spice magic. Swedish Cardamom Cake (Kardemummakaka) is a tender, buttery loaf infused with freshly ground cardamom for aromatic sweetness.

Perfect for coffee breaks, afternoon tea, or simple dessert with powdered sugar dusting.

Light, moist, and ready in under an hour.

Why This Recipe Works

• Freshly ground cardamom delivers intense floral-citrus aroma.
• Melted butter creates tender crumb without mixer.
• Balanced sweetness lets cardamom shine.
• Simple bundt or loaf pan yields elegant shape.
• Keeps fresh for days with fika tradition.

Ingredients & Prep

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground cardamom (freshly ground preferred)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour 8-inch round pan or small bundt pan.
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cardamom in medium bowl.
3. In large bowl, whisk sugar and melted butter until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
4. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to wet mixture, starting and ending with dry. Mix until just combined.
5. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 35-45 minutes until golden and toothpick comes out clean.
6. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then transfer to rack. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Flavor Variations

Storage Tips

Store airtight at room temperature 3 days or freeze slices up to 2 months.

FAQs

Cardamom too strong? Start with 2 teaspoons and grind fresh seeds for best flavor.
Bundt pan sticking? Grease well and dust with breadcrumbs.
Dairy-free? Use plant milk and coconut oil.

Swedish Cardamom Cake Recipe

Print Recipe

A soft, fragrant Swedish cardamom cake with a tender crumb, lightly sweetened and perfect with coffee or tea. A traditional Scandinavian treat.

• Author: ssam
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Swedish
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cardamom
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Optional glaze: 1/2 cup powdered sugar + 1–2 tsp milk

Instructions

• 1. In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
• 2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and cardamom.
• 3. Add melted butter, egg, vanilla, and yeast mixture. Mix to form a soft dough.
• 4. Knead dough on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth.
• 5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–1.5 hours until doubled in size.
• 6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• 7. Shape dough into a round or braided loaf and place on a baking sheet.
• 8. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and a skewer comes out clean.
• 9. Optional: whisk glaze ingredients and drizzle over cooled cake.

Notes

• Cardamom flavor can be adjusted to taste.
• Serve fresh or lightly toasted.
• Pairs beautifully with coffee or tea.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 110mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 33g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: Swedish Cardamom Cake, Scandinavian cake, cardamom dessert