Description
This authentic Vintage Swedish Cake Recipe creates a tender, aromatic cardamom-spiced cake that represents centuries of Nordic baking tradition. With its golden crust, buttery crumb, and warm cardamom flavor, this simple yet elegant cake is perfect for Swedish “fika” coffee time or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 7 tbsp butter (room temperature)
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup + 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp cardamom seeds
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla sugar (or vanilla extract)
For Decoration:
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare oven and pan: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Line the bottom of cake pan with baking paper and grease the sides.
- Cream butter and sugar: Mix butter and sugar in a bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs and milk, mixing until smooth.
- Add cardamom: Grind cardamom seeds in mortar and pestle. Mix ground cardamom into the batter.
- Combine dry ingredients: Mix flour, baking powder, and vanilla sugar together. Stir into cake batter until smooth.
- Bake: Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth evenly. Bake 30-40 minutes until golden and center is firm.
- Cool and finish: Let cake cool completely, then dust top with powdered sugar.
Notes
- Fresh ground cardamom is essential for authentic flavor – pre-ground loses potency quickly
- Butter must be at room temperature for proper creaming
- Don’t overmix flour to avoid tough texture
- Cake improves in flavor after 24 hours as cardamom develops
- Store covered at room temperature up to 3 days
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes (30-40 minute range)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Swedish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 125mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg