This is a delicious twist on your classic vanilla cake. Cardamom has a heavenly scent that will make your kitchen smell wonderful!
My two absolute favorite spices are cardamom and vanilla. How it has taken me this long to combine them into a cake is beyond me.
This cardamom vanilla bean layer cake has so much vanilla in it you can see the seeds speckled throughout both the cake and the Italian meringue buttercream frosting.Â
In August I shared a recipe for chocolate espresso layer cake and discussed how stressful the entire process was to me.
There are so many moments that can go wrong. But when it comes out perfectly there is nothing quite as satisfying as creating a beautiful layer cake.
That experience inspired me to do this more often. It’s a skill that when practiced becomes less stressful and more fun. This time I actually found it relaxing, believe it or not.
I think this cake turned out both beautiful and odd looking. The cardamom gives the cake a slight green hue and as you can see from the photos, the vanilla seeds are all over the place.
But these two spices complement each other so perfectly that I have a feeling I’ll be making this cake again and again.
Cardamom Vanilla Bean Layer Cake
Ingredients
Cardamom Vanilla Bean Layer Cake:
- 10 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour
- 3 ounces cornstarch (9 tablespoons)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cardamom
- 4 vanilla beans
- 1 1/2 cups half-and-half, or 50% cream + 50% whole milk
- 1/4 cup brandy (see notes)
- 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
- 9 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
- 21 ounces granulated sugar
- 6 large eggs, room temperature
Cardamom Vanilla Bean Buttercream:
- 12 ounces granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon corn syrup
- 5 large egg whites
- 16 ounces unsalted butter, cubed and at room temperature
- 2 vanilla beans
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
Instructions
Prepare the cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place an oven rack in the middle position. Lightly spray the bottom of 3 8-inch cake pans with baking spray and then cover them with parchment rounds. Set aside.
- Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt and cardamom in a medium bowl.
- Slice 4 vanilla beans in half lengthwise with a small paring knife. Use the dull side of the knife to scrape out all of the seeds. Add the seeds to the dry ingredients and separate any large clumps.
- In a separate small bowl, combine the half and half, brandy and vanilla extract.
- In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together on medium high speed for several minutes. On low speed, add the eggs, one at a time, allowing each egg to incorporate before adding the next. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. With the mixer still on low speed, quickly alternate between adding the dry and liquid ingredients (ending with the dry) until just combined. Scrape down the sides well, making sure to reach the bottom of the bowl.
- Distribute the batter evenly between the 3 prepared cake pans, using a spatula to even out the tops.
- Bake until the a toothpick comes out of the center of each cake clean, approximately 30-35 minutes. Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pan before removing.
Prepare the frosting:
- Add sugar, water and corn syrup to a medium sized sauce pot. Cover and turn the heat to high. Once the liquid begins to simmer and steam has developed, remove the cover (this helps prevent crystallization). Using a candy thermometer, cook the sugar to the soft boil stage, 235-240 degrees F.
- While the sugar is cooking, whisk the egg whites on high in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment until a soft peak has formed.
- Turn the mixer speed down to medium low and very slowly pour the syrup down the side of the bowl into the egg whites. Don’t pour the hot syrup directly into the meringue.
- Once the syrup is completely incorporated, turn the speed to high and allow the meringue to continue to form a stiff peak while cooling down. Mix on high until the meringue has reached room temperature. To speed up this 15-20 minute process, ice packs can be placed around the bowl.
- While the meringue is cooling, scrape the seeds from the remaining two vanilla beans.
- Once the meringue is at room temperature, slowly begin incorporating the soft butter on medium speed. Once all of the butter has been incorporated, turn the mixer speed up to high and very slowly add the vanilla bean seeds, vanilla extract and cardamom.
Assemble the layers:
- Place the first layer of cake on a revolving cake stand and remove the parchment paper. Placing a cardboard round below the cake is optional but will make transporting the cake easier after it is assembled.
- Spread approximately one cup of buttercream on the cake and spread it around evenly with an offset spatula. Add more buttercream as needed to reached the desired thickness. Repeat with the second and third layer (don't forget to remove the parchment each time). Use an offset spatula to apply a thin layer of frosting to the side and top of the cake. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set this first layer of buttercream. Cover the entire cake with a final layer of frosting.
- Cake is best when served at room temperature.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
For immediate help troubleshooting a recipe, please email me using the form on my contact page. I’ll try to respond to urgent questions as quickly as possible! For all general questions, please leave a comment here :)
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
What an interesting combo – something I would definitely like to try. Your layer cakes are so lovely, and I can imagine that this time it’s more relaxing to make one. The more you do it, the better you become :)
Neil says
Hi Jennifer — Your cake looks like a work of art — We have a special birthday coming up in our family and I think this cake would be perfect.
Marla says
Beautiful!!! I cant wait to try it!! I love making layer cakes :)
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
omg shut up with that vanilla bean frosting!!
Amy @Very Culinary says
I want to move in with you. The end.
Jennifer Farley says
This gave me the giggles.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
Beautifully done! The combination of vanilla and cardamom sounds really wonderful and very refined.
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says
oh my goodness, Jen! This is just beautiful!!! Your layered cakes are on another level. . just beautiful and perfect! soooo beautiful!
Tieghan says
I have never had cardamom that i know of, but if it goes with vanilla I know I would love it! Such a gorgeous cake, You are pro at these things! Love it!
Nutmeg Nanny says
This cake looks PERFECT! Lovely flavors :)
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Gorgeous! Cakes don’t make me nervous. To me, they’re the easiest. Perhaps I sweat the small stuff, when I shouldn’t. Love your styling and photography here. Just beautifully executed, Jen!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
You make the most perfect cakes, Jen!
Matt says
This looks and sounds fantastic. If i could bake I’d certainty give it a go. As usual the photos are amazing :)
Jaime says
Beautiful cake! I love Italian meringue buttercream but have never tried it with corn syrup. I think it’s rare to get hold of it in the UK. Can you tell me what it adds or helps do in the buttercream? Thank you! xx
Jennifer Farley says
It just helps prevent the sugar from crystalizing. You can omit it.
Jaime says
Ah of course!! Like we use glucose syrup here for sugarwork but I think they are slightly different in fructose content. Just hit me now :D But I’ve never seen the method of covering the pot and allowing steam to form, so it’s great to learn another method.
movita beaucoup says
I am obsessed with cardamom. Aaaaaand my sister just brought me a huge bag of vanilla beans from Africa. I, too, am left wondering why I hadn’t thought to combine my two favourite flavours in a gorgeous cake! This is truly lovely, lady!
Laura Dembowski says
Beautiful cake! I love making layer cakes and especially Italian buttercream. It’s the only way to go in my opinion.