Coconut, Cardamom and Orange Cake #BundtBakers

My husband is a sweetaholic, he just can't stay away from anything that has got sugar in it. Still there are only few desserts that he goes ga ga for, if you know what I mean. This Coconut, Cardamom and Orange has become one of his favorite cakes. Infact, you bake it and it will be yours too.

After I was done with the photography session, I sliced the cake and as a ritual at my place the first slice always and I mean always goes right into my husband's mouth and he then gives me his honest feedback. For this cake, I had baked two mini bundts, the first one was gone in 20 mins after I had cut it, thanks to him. Well, he didn't need to give me any feedback, did he? I tasted the second one and I was very proud of myself and very satisfied with what I had baked, more so because this was my own recipe :D

The theme of this month for the #Bundtbakers challenge is strange but good-weird flavor combinations chosen by June from How to Philosophize with Cake and I was like, "Oh God now what is this? couldn't she come up with a better theme?" However, thank you so much June, I wouldn't have been able to come up with this yummm cake and a very happy hubby had it not been for the theme :)

I wanted to incorporate known flavors but in an unknown way and after going through my cookery books, I couldn't find anything that was different, anything that could justify the theme. That meant I had to create something of my own but what? and how? what if it doesn't work? After pondering for a while, I thought of going through flavor combinations that are used in a savory dish. Maybe I could get an idea from there!?

I came across a couscous salad recipe in the The Flavorful Kitchen Cookbook that used Coconut, Cardamon and Orange flavors along with some other ingredients. Voila! got it! an interesting flavor combination that would work very well in a dessert and equally important was that I had not come across this combo before at least in a dessert.

The base recipe is from my Saffron Vanilla Bean and Orange Cake. After brainstorming for about an hour, I came up with the recipe ratio and just prayed that it works and it did! perfectly!

Neither of the flavors are over powering, you can taste each one and the cake is incredibly soft and moist. Crushed cardamom seeds, coconut milk and dessicated coconut is used in the batter along with a little orange zest. Drizzled with an icing made with icing sugar and orange juice, the cake then tastes absolutely divine! You ought to try this.

Recipe Resource: Bakingyummies

Makes two 3 inches / 8 cms or one 6 inches / 15 cms mini bundt cake.

Ingredients
For the Cake
175 grams / 6 ounces / 1 plus 1/4 cups all purpose or plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon regular salt
30 grams / 1 ounce / 1/3 cup dessicated coconut
Six cardamom pods, seeds removed and ground to a powder.
175 grams / 6 ounces  / 3/4 cup unsalted butter, little cold
185 grams / 6.5 ounces / scant 1 cup caster or superfine sugar
grated zest of one small orange
3 large eggs at room temperature
105 ml / 3.5fl ounces / 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons coconut milk at room temperature

For the Glaze
40 grams / 1.5 ounces confectioner's or powdered sugar, sifted
2 to 3 teaspoons orange juice

Method
For the Cake
Preheat the oven to 175 degrees C / 350 degrees F. Grease and dust two 3 inches / 8 cms or one 6 inches / 15 cms mini bundt cake pans.

In a bowl sieve together the flour, baking powder, salt, dessicated coconut and ground cardamom. Mix thoroughly with a hand held whisk to distribute all the ingredients.

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and on medium-high speed, or using an electric hand mixer, cream the butter for about 30 seconds. Add the sugar and mix until light, pale and fluffy about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the orange zest and mix.

Reduce the speed to low. Add the eggs one at a time beating until each is incorporated well in the mixture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as and when required.

Add the flour mixture in two batches alternating with the coconut milk and mix until just combined after each addition.

Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan(s) and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 to 25 mins or until a cake tester or a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached to it.

Place the pan(s) on a wire rack to cool for about 20 minutes. Remove the cakes from the pan(s) and place them again on the wire rack to cool completely.

For the Glaze
In a small bowl, add the orange juice to the powdered sugar a little at a time until the glaze is of a thick dropping consistency. Pour over the cake(s).

Storage Suggestions: The cake can be stored in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the refrigerator for up to 7 or frozen for up to a month.

Happy Baking!!!

#BundtBakers is a group of Bundt loving bakers who get together once a month to bake Bundts with a common ingredient or theme.  Follow our Pinterest board right here. Updated links for all of our past events and more information about BundtBakers can be found on our homepage.

And don't forget to take a peek at what other talented bakers have baked this month. Here are the links:

• Banana Bacon Bundt Cake by Liv For Cake
• Beet and Beer Red Velvet Bundt Cake by I Sugar Coat It
• Beet and Blood Orange Bundt Cake by Brooklyn Homemaker
• Black Pepper and Red Wine Bundt Cake by Passion Kneaded
• Caramelized Pineapple Blue Cheese Corncake Bundt by Food Lust People Love
• Chocolate Banana Bacon Bundt Cake by The Freshman Cook
• Chocolate Lemon Bundt Cake by I Bake He Shoots
• Chocolate Liquorice Bundt Cake by Baking in Pyjamas
• Chocolate Potato Bundt Cake with Strawberry Glaze by Magnolia Days
• Chocolate Potato Chip Bundt Cake by From Gate to Plate
• Chocolate Tomato Soup Bundt Cake by SpiceRoots
• Coconut and Rose Syrup Bundt Cake by I Camp In My Kitchen
• Coconut, Cardamom, and Orange Cake by Baking Yummies
• Dark Chocolate Beet Cake by All That's Left Are The Crumbs
• Guinness Stout Dark Chocolate Bundt by Living the Gourmet
• Junk Food Bundt Cake by Faith, Hope, Love, and Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Lemon Rosemary Bundt by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Lovely Fields Bundt Cake by Los Chatos Chefs
• Mini Mayonnaise and Chocolate Bundt Cakes by I Love Bundt Cakes
• Olive Oil Rosemary Bundt Cake by Tartacadabra
• Orange Bourbon Rosemary Bundt Cake by The Spiced Life
• Peanut Butter Sour Cream Bundt Cake by Basic N Delicious
• Six Flavor Bundt by Making Miracles
• Sweet Potato and Marshmallow Bundt by Jane's Adventures in Dinner
• Triple Rum Black Pepper Bundt Cake by How to Philosophize with Cake