Description
A fragrant and nutty cardamom pistachio cake topped with a luscious honey cream cheese frosting. Perfect for gatherings, celebrations, or a cozy weekend dessert.
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups (405 g) cashew milk
1 1/2 tbsp (16 g) lemon juice
2 1/4 cups (290 g) spelt flour
2 1/4 cups (253 g) coconut sugar
1 cup + 2 tbsp (160 g) roasted unsalted pistachios
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1 cup (250 g) coconut yogurt
3/4 cup (155 g) extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp vanilla paste or vanilla extract
3/4 tsp almond extract
— Honey Cream Cheese Frosting —
3/4 cup (156 g) unsalted butter or vegan butter, softened
2 cups (460 g) cream cheese or vegan cream cheese
1/3 cup (135 g) honey (or 4 tbsp maple syrup for vegan option)
2 tsp vanilla paste or vanilla extract
1/8 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease and line a 9×9-inch square pan with parchment paper.
2. Prepare buttermilk by mixing cashew milk and lemon juice. Set aside to curdle.
3. Grind roasted pistachios finely in a spice grinder or blender.
4. In a large bowl, whisk pistachios, spelt flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cardamom, and salt.
5. In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, coconut yogurt, olive oil, vanilla, and almond extract until smooth.
6. Combine wet and dry ingredients, mixing until just combined without overmixing.
7. Pour batter into pan, tap to release bubbles, and bake for 42–45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with a few crumbs.
8. Cool in the pan for 1 hour, then transfer to a rack and cool fully.
9. Cream butter and cream cheese with a mixer for 3 minutes. Add honey, vanilla, and salt, then whip 5 more minutes until fluffy.
10. Spread frosting over cooled cake. Garnish with chopped pistachios and serve.
Notes
For vegan frosting, use maple syrup instead of honey, and plant-based butter and cream cheese.
Cooling the cake overnight enhances flavor and texture.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4–5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 60mg