I realized recently that I don’t bake nearly as much as I used to. There really isn’t much rhyme or reason for this, but it was a strange observation! Perhaps it’s because a household of 2 can only eat so many baked goods, and the change in social habits that last couple years means there are fewer opportunities to pawn off these treats to friends and family. When I do find myself wanting some dessert, I’ve been craving foods that play with the balance of sweet and savory, or highlight herbal flavors. These Cardamom Almond Brownies do both of those things, and make for a warming treat as we enter into the colder months.
I have always loved cardamom. It has such a specific floral and herbal fragrance. It’s both fresh, sweet, and a bit savory. It isn’t sugary, just delicately warm. I think cardamom and chocolate pair beautifully together in many situations, but especially in a cakey brownie. The base batter is not actually too sweet due to the amount of cocoa powder that is involved, but rather than loading it up with ooey, gooey fudgey chocolate to make these extra sweet, the cardamom actually adds a whole other level of flavor. Top it off with the nuttiness of the almonds, and you’ve got a complimentary flavor triangle.
These Cardamom Almond Brownies come out crumby, but moist, and nice and thick so every bite is super satisfying. The flavor combination makes these the perfect dessert to share this holiday season, and through the winter months ahead
Interested in another unique brownie? Try these Rhubarb Chocolate Brownies!
Cardamom Almond Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 Cup All-purpose flour
- 3/4 Cup Cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Ground cardamom (about 10 pods)
- 3/4 Cup Butter melted
- 3/4 Cup White sugar
- 1/2 Cup Brown sugar
- 3 Eggs
- 2 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1/2 Cup Chocolate chips
- 1/4 Cup Almonds chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Line an 8" x 8" pan with parchment, or grease with butter. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder cardamom).
- In a separate bowl, combine melted butter with white and brown sugars. Stir until well combined. Add eggs and vanilla, stirring to mix. Mix in the dry ingredients adding about 1/2 of the flour mixture at a time. Stir until just barely mixed, and add chocolate chips. Do not over mix!
- Put batter into prepared pan and spread so it is evenly filled. Sprinkle chopped almonds on top.
- Bake in preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes. Check it first at 30 minutes, and then continue cooking if needed until a toothpick comes out clean/without wet batter. Let cool slightly before cutting.
