Cardamom Orange Pistachio Tea Cake – A Spiced & Nutty Dessert You’ll Love Recipe
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4.7 from 10 reviews
This Cardamom Orange Pistachio Tea Cake is a spiced and nutty dessert featuring fragrant ground cardamom, bright orange zest and juice, and crunchy toasted pistachios. Moist and flavorful, it’s perfect for teatime or a light dessert.
Total Time:1 hour 15 minutes
Yield:8 servings
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cardamom (preferably freshly ground)
Wet Ingredients
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup sugar (granulated or light brown)
2 large eggs, room temperature
½ cup plain yogurt or sour cream
¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tbsp orange zest
Add-ins
¾ cup chopped pistachios (lightly toasted)
Instructions
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cardamom until evenly combined.
Beat Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with the sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy.
Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition to ensure it's fully incorporated.
Add Flavorings: Stir in the freshly grated orange zest and the freshly squeezed orange juice into the wet mixture.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately add the dry ingredients and the yogurt (or sour cream) into the wet mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently just until everything is combined to avoid overmixing.
Fold in Pistachios: Gently fold in the chopped, lightly toasted pistachios, reserving a few to sprinkle on top if you like.
Prepare for Baking: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top evenly with a spatula.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool Cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Optional Toppings: For an extra special touch, add an orange glaze, candied orange slices, powdered sugar, and extra pistachios on top before serving.
Notes
If plain yogurt is not available, sour cream is a perfect substitute and will add moisture and tanginess.
Lightly toasting the pistachios enhances their flavor and crunchiness.
Use freshly ground cardamom for the best, most vibrant flavor.
Make sure butter and eggs are at room temperature to ensure smooth mixing and even texture.
A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean to confirm doneness; baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven.
For a dairy-free option, substitute yogurt with a plant-based yogurt and use a vegan butter alternative.
