Doolsho (Somali cardamom sponge cake)
Doolsho: a light, golden sponge scented with cardamom, cut into squares for tea time
Ask a Somali host what goes with afternoon shaah and doolsho will be near the top of the list: a plain, airy sponge flavoured with cardamom and sometimes a little vanilla, baked in a tray and cut into generous squares. It turns up at Eid visits, weddings and family get-togethers, and is just as welcome at breakfast. The crumb should be fine and springy, never dense, which comes from whisking the eggs and sugar for a long time. Knocking the air out when the flour goes in is the mistake that ruins it; fold gently with a large spoon, in three goes, and stop as soon as no dry flour shows. Chef's tip: use eggs at room temperature; cold eggs never whip to the thick, pale ribbon that holds the cake up.
- Total time
- 55 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
- 5 eggsat room temperature
- 7 oz sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oilplus a little for the tin
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- 9 oz plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp ground cardamom
- 1 pinch salt
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 350°F (300°F fan). Oil a 23 x 33 cm tin and line the base with baking paper.
Step 2: Whisk the 5 eggs and 7 oz sugar with an electric mixer on high for 8 minutes until thick, pale and doubled; when you lift the whisk, the trail should sit on the surface for a few seconds.
8 minStep 3: With the mixer on low, pour in the ½ cup vegetable oil, ¼ cup milk and 1 tsp vanilla extract in a thin stream until just mixed.
Step 4: Sift the 9 oz plain flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 ½ tsp ground cardamom and 1 pinch salt over the batter in three goes, folding each one in gently with a large metal spoon until no streaks remain.
Step 5: Pour into the tin, level it and bake for 30–35 minutes, until golden, springy when pressed and a skewer in the centre comes out clean.
35 minStep 6: Cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack. Cut into squares once cool. Keeps 3 days in a tin.
10 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 270 kcal
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 35 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does doolsho (Somali cardamom sponge cake) take?
- About 55 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of eggs?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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