Persian Cardamom and Double-Citrus "Love Cake"

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup ground almonds (blanched, no skins)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp ground cardamom
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ½ cup neutral vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • Zest and juice of 1 large orange
  • Zest and juice of 1 large lemon

Room-Temperature Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 to 2 tbsp of the remaining citrus juice (or water)
  • Optional decoration: Chopped pistachios

Instructions

  1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch round cake pan or loaf pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground almonds, sugar, ground cardamom, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the vegetable oil, eggs, the orange zest and juice, and the lemon zest and juice.
  4. Mix: Use a wooden spoon or spatula to stir the ingredients together until just combined and smooth. Do not overmix.
  5. Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let it cool completely in the pan before removing.
  6. Glaze: Whisk the powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons of citrus juice until it forms a thick, pourable glaze. Drizzle over the completely cooled cake. Top with chopped pistachios if desired.