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Fragrant Saffron and Cardamom Cake

A fragrant saffron and cardamom cake with orange, glazed with marmalade and topped with edible flowers—perfect for afternoon tea or a special treat.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Dessert/Fika
Cuisine: Scandinavian
Servings: 6 Portions

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 155 g caster sugar
  • 190 g plain flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • a good pinch fine sea salt
  • 1 tsp freshly ground cardamom optional
  • 65 g extra virgin olive oil
  • 60 g full-fat milk
  • 50 g freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 120 g full-fat Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • Zest of an orange
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
  • ¼ tsp saffron threads + ¼ tsp caster sugar

To decorate

  • 1 Tbls Seville orange marmalade
  • Granulated sugar
  • Edible flowers petals

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 160°C fan. Grease and line an 8inch round cake tin with baking parchment.
  • Place the saffron in a pestle and mortar with the sugar and grind to a powder, then transfer to a bowl. Warm the milk, add the saffron mixture, then set aside to infuse.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, salt, and ground cardamom.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, orange juice, and orange zest. Stir in the saffron-infused milk and yoghurt, mixing until smooth.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, whisking until just combined.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared tin.
  • Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a cocktail stick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
  • Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Gently heat the marmalade in a small saucepan until melted. Brush the surface of the cake with the warm marmalade, then sprinkle with granulated sugar. Decorate with edible flowers—I used dandelions, daisies, and pansy petals. Serve with Greek yogurt or crème fraîche.