KARDEMUMMAKAKA (CARDAMOM COFFEE CAKE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Grease and lightly flour a 9x9 square cake pan. Shake out any excess flour.
• Sift together the flour, salt and baking powder; set aside.
• Sift sugar, set aside.
• Crush cardamom seeds (use a mortar and pestle or a rolling pin).
• If using pods, remove the white hull pieces.
• Heat milk to lukewarm (in microwave, heat in a microwave safe cup or bowl at 70% power for about 45 seconds). Set milk aside.
• Melt butter (in microwave, heat at 70% power for about 1 minutes, then stir until completely melted). Set melted butter aside.
• Beat egg until fluffy.
• Blend in sifted sugar.
• Add crushed cardamom seeds.
• Alternate adding lukewarm milk and the flour mixture, blending well.
• Add melted butter and beat batter until well blended.
• Pour batter into cake pan.
• Mix together the allspice and sugar.
• Sprinkle evenly on top of the cake in the pan.
• Sprinkle chopped or sliced almonds on top, pressing them into the batter very lightly.
• Bake at 350°F for 35-45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
• Cool slightly before cutting.
• Tip: this recipe doubles well, making 2 9x9 cakes. Freeze one, then warm it up for later use.