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Orange Cardamom Fig Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 62 reviews

This elegant Orange Cardamom Fig Cake blends fragrant cardamom and zesty orange with luscious fresh figs for a moist, flavorful dessert. Topped with a smooth orange cream cheese frosting and garnished with figs, it offers a perfect balance of citrus brightness and warm spice, ideal for gatherings or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ cup (210 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tsp (3.5 g) ground cardamom
  • 1 tsp (6 g) baking powder
  • ¼ tsp (1.5 g) baking soda
  • ½ tsp (3 g) kosher salt

Cake Ingredients

  • 1 stick (113 g) butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
  • Zest of ½ large orange
  • ½ cup (125 ml) buttermilk
  • ¾ cup (100 g) chopped fresh figs

Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 6 tbsp (90 g) butter, softened
  • 1 cup + 2 tbsp (145 g) icing sugar
  • 6 oz (170 g) cold cream cheese
  • Zest of ½ large orange
  • Extra fresh figs, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Dry Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, ground cardamom, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt until well combined. Set aside.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with a mixer until the mixture is creamy and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
  3. Add Eggs and Flavorings: Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract and orange zest until fully incorporated.
  4. Incorporate Flour and Buttermilk: Add one-third of the dry flour mixture to the batter, beating on low speed until mostly combined. Next, add half of the buttermilk and mix gently. Repeat with another third of the flour and the remaining buttermilk. Finally, add the last portion of the flour mixture and beat just until combined, avoiding overmixing.
  5. Fold in Figs: Gently fold the chopped fresh figs into the batter using a spatula, taking care not to overmix to keep the figs intact.
  6. Prepare Pan and Bake: Line an 8 or 9-inch cake pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray. Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean and the top springs back when lightly pressed.
  7. Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edges, then invert the cake onto a cooling rack. Allow it to cool completely before frosting.
  8. Prepare Frosting: In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with icing sugar until the mixture looks crumbly but combined. Add the cold cream cheese (cut into small cubes) and beat until the frosting is thick, smooth, and creamy. Mix in the orange zest until evenly distributed.
  9. Frost and Garnish: Place the cooled cake on a serving platter and spread the orange cream cheese frosting decoratively over the top. Garnish with additional fresh figs as desired. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use fresh figs for the best texture and flavor, but dried can be rehydrated if fresh are unavailable.
  • If buttermilk is not available, make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to ½ cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
  • Ensure the cream cheese is cold before mixing to achieve the right frosting consistency.
  • Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added to keep the cake tender.
  • Check cake doneness early at 45 minutes to avoid overbaking, as ovens vary.

Keywords: orange cardamom fig cake, fig cake, cardamom cake, orange zest cake, cream cheese frosting cake, moist fruit cake

Find it online: https://platedbyemma.com/orange-cardamom-fig-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/