A fragrant, bakery-style treat
This orange cardamom fig cake is soft, aromatic, and beautifully balanced with citrus brightness and warm spice. Sweet figs melt into the crumb while freshly grated orange zest perfumes every bite, making this cake feel both cozy and elegant. It’s the kind of dessert that works just as well for weekend brunch, afternoon coffee, or a simple make-ahead treat for busy weeks. With straightforward steps and pantry-friendly ingredients, this recipe delivers bakery-quality flavor without complicated techniques. If you love Mediterranean-inspired desserts or lightly spiced cakes that aren’t overly sweet, this one deserves a spot on your baking list.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour
- Servings: 8–10 slices
📝 Ingredients List
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup neutral oil (or melted butter)
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- Zest of 1 large orange
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped fresh or dried figs
- Optional: 2 tbsp sliced almonds or pistachios
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Microplane or fine grater
- Rubber spatula
- 9-inch round cake pan or loaf pan
- Parchment paper
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your cake pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cardamom, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat sugar and eggs until pale and slightly fluffy, about 1–2 minutes 😊
- Whisk in oil, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla until smooth.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. The batter should be thick but pourable.
- Fold in chopped figs, distributing them evenly.
- Pour batter into the pan, smooth the top, and sprinkle with nuts if using.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean. The kitchen should smell wonderfully citrusy 🍊
- Cool for 15 minutes before removing from the pan, then cool completely before slicing.
💡 Pro Tips
- Extra moisture: Toss figs in 1 tsp flour before folding in to prevent sinking.
- Storage: Keep covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.
- Make it fancy: Drizzle with orange glaze or dust with powdered sugar before serving.
- Substitution: No figs? Dates or apricots work beautifully too.