Coffee Cardamom Pound Cake for Fragrant, Spiced Coffee-Flavored Slices

This coffee cardamom pound cake brings together two flavors that simply belong side by side. I love how the warm spice of cardamom wraps around the deep, roasted notes of coffee in every tender slice. The texture is dense yet soft, melting gently on your tongue. It’s the kind of cake that feels like a quiet hug. Below, you’ll find everything you need to make it your own.

Why You’ll Love this Coffee Cardamom Pound Cake

When you take your first bite of this coffee cardamom pound cake, something quiet happens.

The aromatic flavors meet you gently. Coffee, warm and familiar. Cardamom, soft and a little mysterious. They don’t compete. They simply hold hands.

I love how the cake texture feels on your tongue. Dense enough to satisfy. Tender enough to melt.

This is the kind of cake that asks nothing from you. No fancy frosting. No complicated layers. Just honest slices that taste like comfort.

You can enjoy it with morning coffee. Or as an afternoon pause. Or late at night when the house is still.

It welcomes you exactly as you are.

And somehow, slice after slice, it feels like a small gift you gave yourself.

What Ingredients are in Coffee Cardamom Pound Cake?

This pound cake comes together with simple ingredients you might already have in your pantry. The magic is in how they blend, each one playing its small part in creating something warm and wonderful.

• 1 cup warm milk
• 2-1/4 teaspoons dry yeast
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar, divided
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
• 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cardamom
• 1/2 cup butter for spreading
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1-1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

A few thoughts on these ingredients. The instant coffee granules are your friend here, they dissolve beautifully and give that deep, roasted flavor without any bitterness. And cardamom, well, it might seem like a lot if you’re not used to it. But trust the process. It mellows as it bakes, becoming this whisper of warmth that makes people ask what your secret is. Room temperature eggs and softened butter matter more than you’d think. Cold ingredients can make your batter stubborn and lumpy, and nobody wants a grumpy cake. Just let everything sit out for about thirty minutes before you begin, and the whole mixing process becomes smooth and almost meditative.

How to Make this Coffee Cardamom Pound Cake

Making this pound cake feels a little like a quiet afternoon ritual, the kind where time slows down and the kitchen fills with warmth.

Start by warming your 1 cup of milk until it reaches about 110°F, that sweet spot where it feels warm but not hot to the touch. Pour it into the bowl of your stand mixer and sprinkle in the 2-1/4 teaspoons of dry yeast along with 1/4 cup of your granulated sugar. Give it a gentle stir and then just wait.

Ten minutes or so, until it gets all foamy and alive, like it’s waking up from a long nap. Once you see those bubbles, whisk in your 2 large eggs, 1/3 cup of melted butter, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of instant coffee granules, and the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar. The coffee dissolves into the mixture like a secret, and your whole kitchen starts to smell like a cozy café.

Add your 4-1/2 cups of all-purpose flour and mix on low speed for about 5 minutes until everything comes together into a soft, slightly sticky dough. Form it into a ball, nestle it into an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rest somewhere warm for about an hour.

While that dough is doing its thing, mix together your filling, a dreamy combination of 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup melted butter, 2 tablespoons of cardamom, and 1-1/2 tablespoons more instant coffee.

When the dough has doubled, roll it out into a big rectangle, roughly 12 by 22 inches. Spread that fragrant filling across every inch, then roll it up tightly into a log. Cut into portions, arrange in a greased 13×9 pan, and let rise another hour.

Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until golden. While still warm, spread on your butter-cardamom mixture, then drizzle with a glaze made from 4 ounces softened cream cheese, 1/3 cup softened butter, 1-1/3 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, all whipped together until silky smooth.

Coffee Cardamom Pound Cake Substitutions and Variations

Although this recipe sings beautifully as written, there’s plenty of room to make it your own.

This recipe welcomes your creativity—make it yours, one gentle change at a time.

For substitutions options, you can swap the instant coffee for espresso powder if you want a deeper, bolder taste. Decaf works wonderfully too, if caffeine isn’t your friend.

The cardamom can be adjusted to your liking. Start with less if the spice feels unfamiliar. You’ll find your comfort level.

For flavor variations, consider adding a whisper of orange zest. It brightens everything. A handful of mini chocolate chips tucked into the batter creates little pockets of sweetness.

Some folks drizzle a simple coffee glaze on top. Others dust it with powdered sugar, soft as snow.

This cake welcomes your gentle changes. Make it feel like home.

What to Serve with Coffee Cardamom Pound Cake

What pairs best with this fragrant, tender cake?

I love exploring coffee pairings with this recipe. A warm cup of medium roast coffee brings out the cardamom’s warmth. The flavor profiles dance together beautifully.

Try it with a simple vanilla latte. The creaminess softens each bite.

For something cooler, a glass of cold brew works wonderfully. Its smoothness complements the cake’s tender crumb.

If you prefer tea, chai makes a lovely companion. The spices echo the cardamom in gentle ways.

For toppings, consider a dollop of whipped cream. Or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Fresh berries add brightness too. Raspberries or blackberries cut through the richness just enough.

Keep it simple. Let the cake shine.

Final Thoughts

When you pull these warm rolls from the oven, something special happens.

The coffee flavors drift through your kitchen like a gentle hello. The cardamom follows, warm and mysterious. Your home transforms into something cozy, something safe.

I love how this recipe bridges two worlds. It carries the comfort of a pound cake—that familiar, tender crumb—while offering something unexpected. The spices whisper. The coffee grounds you.

Each bite feels like a small gift you’ve given yourself.

So take your time with these rolls. Let them cool just enough. Spread that glaze while everything stays warm. Watch it melt into the swirls.

Then sit somewhere quiet. Hold your plate close. And enjoy what your hands have made.

You deserve this sweetness.

In case you were wondering

Can I Make Coffee Cardamom Pound Cake Ahead of Time and Freeze It?

Yes, you can freeze this cake! I recommend wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap, then foil for proper freezing techniques. For thawing methods, leave it overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for several hours.

How Long Does Coffee Cardamom Pound Cake Stay Fresh at Room Temperature?

I’d say your pound cake freshness lasts about 3-4 days with proper room temperature storage. Keep it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container to maintain moisture and flavor.

What Is the Best Way to Store Leftover Coffee Cardamom Pound Cake?

Want your cake to taste just-baked days later? I’ve found the best storing techniques involve wrapping slices tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. For cake preservation, refrigerate up to a week or freeze for months.

Can I Use Decaf Coffee in This Coffee Cardamom Pound Cake Recipe?

Yes, you can substitute decaf coffee in this recipe! It’ll maintain a similar flavor profile while reducing caffeine. I’d recommend using the same amount of decaf instant coffee granules throughout for consistent results.

How Do I Know When My Coffee Cardamom Pound Cake Is Fully Baked?

“Better safe than sorry” when testing doneness! I recommend these baking tips: insert a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean, your cake’s fully baked. The top should also be golden brown.

Conclusion

Like the first sip of coffee on a slow morning, this cake asks you to pause. To breathe in the cardamom. To notice the warmth spreading through your kitchen.

I bake this whenever life feels too fast.

The spices remind me to slow down.

So cut yourself a generous slice. Pour something warm to drink beside it. Let this simple treat become a quiet moment, just for you.