South Asian Cardamom-Saffron Milk Cake

Name: South Asian Cardamom-Saffron Milk Cake
Prep time: 4 h
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3 large eggs; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup whole milk; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom; 1 1/2 cups whole milk; 1/2 cup evaporated milk; 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk; 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads; 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder; 1 cup heavy whipping cream; 2 tablespoons powdered sugar; 1/4 cup shelled and chopped pistachios

A fragrant, rich milk cake with an aromatic blend of saffron and cardamom, topped with crunchy pistachios.

Delight in the indulgent taste of this traditional South Asian dessert, which marries creamy flavors with the earthy notes of cardamom and saffron, topped with crunchy pistachios.

4 h 30 min
8
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Cake

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 large eggs

at room temperature

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup whole milk

warm

1/2 cup unsalted butter

melted

1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

For the Milk Soak

1 1/2 cups whole milk

1/2 cup evaporated milk

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

1/4 teaspoon saffron threads

soaked in 1 tablespoon warm milk

1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder

For the Topping

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1/4 cup shelled and chopped pistachios

Preparation

Prepping the Baking Pan

Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Prepare Baking Dish

Grease and flour an 8x8-inch baking dish.

Set Aside Pan

Set the prepared pan aside.

Preparing the Cake Batter

Combine Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Beat Eggs and Sugar

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and gradually add sugar until light and fluffy.

Incorporate Wet Ingredients

Slowly blend in the melted butter, cardamom, and warm milk.

Mix Batter

Add the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.

⚠ Important: Do not overmix the batter to prevent the cake from becoming dense. 💡 Pro Tip: Add the melted butter gradually to maintain a smooth batter consistency.

Cooking Process

Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Prepare the Milk Soak

Mix whole milk, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, saffron-infused milk, and cardamom.

Soak the Cake

Once cake has cooled slightly, poke holes with a fork and pour milk soak over, allowing it to absorb completely.

Plating & Serving