Description
Decadent and rich, this Dubai-inspired chocolate pistachio cake combines dark chocolate, cardamom, and roasted pistachios for a luxurious, gluten-free, and dairy-free dessert topped with a glossy ganache.
Ingredients
1 cup almond flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
2/3 cup maple syrup
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup chopped pistachios (plus extra for topping)
1/2 cup canned coconut milk
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, cocoa powder, cardamom, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix melted coconut oil, maple syrup, eggs, vanilla extract, and almond milk until smooth.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until fully combined. Fold in the chopped pistachios.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 25–28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Let the cake cool completely.
- To make the ganache, heat the coconut milk in a small saucepan over low heat until just simmering. Remove from heat, add chocolate chips, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Let sit for 1 minute, then whisk until smooth.
- Pour the ganache over the cooled cake and spread evenly.
- Top with extra chopped pistachios and chill for 15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Swap pistachios with toasted hazelnuts or almonds for variety.
Add dark chocolate chunks into the batter for extra richness.
Use flax eggs to make it completely vegan (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 2.5 tbsp water per egg).
Orange zest adds a fresh, citrusy twist that pairs well with cardamom.
Store in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze individual slices for longer storage.
Let the cake sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving for best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
