50 Recipes That Will Make Cardamom Your New Secret Ingredient (2024)

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Savor the aromatic, sweet taste of cardamom. This Eastern spice shines in a host of recipes, from globally inspired dishes to traditional holiday classics.

Kulfi

I grew up near Little India in California, and I loved the desserts from Indian sweets shops. One of them sold kulfi, a spiced and nutty frozen custard in cone molds. Here I use a shortcut method to make kulfi quickly and without any special equipment. The whole milk can be replaced with mango pulp for mango kulfi. —Justine Kmiecik, Crestview, Florida

(Check out these other Indian dessert recipes!)

Mughali Chicken

I enjoy cooking for my family and try to incorporate healthy new foods into our menus. This authentic Indian dish is a favorite. —Aruna Kancharla, Bentonville, Arkansas

Pear and Pomegranate Lamb Tagine

Pomegranate, pear and orange go together so well that I decided to use them to prepare a Middle Eastern-themed tagine with lamb. This tastes delicious served over couscous, polenta or cauliflower mashed with feta cheese. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Swedish Almond Rusks

Not too sweet, these nutty, crunchy cookies go well with a cup of hot coffee...and travel well in care packages, too!

Finnish Mulled Wine

I found this recipe stuck in the pages of my Finnish grandmother's Bible. It takes 24 hours to make. Store tightly bottled in the fridge for up to two weeks. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida

Cardamom Sugar Cookies

The warm flavor of cardamom spices up these classic sugar cookies. They’re the ideal treat for your homemade goody basket. Tint the glaze to fit the season.—Darina Jurasek, Salmon Arm, British Columbia

Curried Pork and Green Tomatoes

When the tomatoes are green in the garden, my husband and sons are thrilled to know this dish will appear on several weekly menus. I've passed the recipe on more times than I can count.

Crispy Norwegian Bows

I've been fixing these cookies for so long, I don't recall where the recipe came from. They're a "must" at our house.—Janie Norwood, Albany, Georgia

Peach and Berry Cobbler

This is one of my favorite summer recipes because it features peaches and berries that are in season, but it is just as delicious with frozen fruit. The quick biscuit topping brings it all together. —Lauren McAnelly, Des Moines, Iowa

Cider Doughnuts

Here on our 1,250-acre farm, we usually have a quick breakfast on the go. So I often keep a batch of these light and moist doughnuts on hand. They disappear quickly because no one can eat just one! —Suzanne Christensen, Defiance, Iowa

My kids love to help make these towers. They measure, mix, whisk and build stacks. It's a family custom and a perfect summer breakfast or dessert. —Josie Shapiro, San Francisco, California

Scented Rice in Baked Pumpkin

This easy, delicious and healthy side is a showpiece that always delights. You can use grain, squash, fruits and nuts to suit your taste—it's impossible to go wrong! —Lynn Heisel, Jackson, Missouri

Earl Grey Tea Cookies

Biscuit-like Earl Grey cookies are a wonderful addition to holiday cookie swaps because they are truly unique. —Veronica Callaghan, Glastonbury, Connecticut

Gingered Apricot-Apple Crumble

This crumble is tasty hot or cold, plain or topped with ice cream. If you're not fond of apricots, leave them out for a traditional apple crisp. —Sylvia Rice, Didsbury, Alberta

Chocolate Lebkuchen

Having lived in Germany, I try to keep my German cooking as authentic as possible. This lovely lebkuchen recipe is a culinary Christmas custom. —Cathy Lemmon, Quinlan, Texas

Coconut-Granola Yogurt Parfaits

I prepare homemade granola ahead of time—it makes these yogurt treats special. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington

Blood Orange Avocado Salad

My refreshing side salad is such a nice addition to our calorie-loaded Thanksgiving dinner. Use regular oranges if you can't find blood oranges. Finely chopped walnuts work well in place of the pomegranate seeds, too. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Mango Lassi

Learn how to make mango lassi, the perfect summer drink any mango lover will love. Mango lassi is a sweet and refreshing treat only needs 6 ingredients! —Namrata Telugu, Terre Haute, Indiana

Cardamom Spritz

As far back as I remember, I have loved cardamom. My grandmother often added the spice to her baked goods. I usually make these cookies with a spritz press—and camel disk—that I found at a thrift shop. It reminds me of a time when I rode a camel in the desert while deployed with the Navy. Of course, any design will do! —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado

Hot Buttered Cider Mix

Put the butter base for this beverage in a decorative jar and attach a copy of the recipe for a great gift from your kitchen. You can omit the brandy for a kid-friendly version. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Cardamom Braids

This is an old recipe that I like to make for breakfast. Slices are splendid for dunking in a cup of coffee. —Walter Dust, Rapid City, Michigan

Apple-Honey Dutch Baby

I love to make this treat on Sunday morning. It's so impressive when it's served warm right out of the oven...and the apple honey filling is yummy! —Kathy Fleming, Lisle, Illinois

Cardamom Cheesecake Bars

Fans of cheesecake will love these bite-sized desserts. Crunchy and smooth, they're perfect for the holidays—or any other time.—Judi Oudekerk, Buffalo, Minnesota

Curry Scramble

I have eggs every morning, and this is a delightful change from the classic scrambled egg meal. I like to add sliced peppers on top if I have them on hand. —Valerie Belley, St. Louis, Missouri

Spiced German Cookies

These buttery spice cookies are a cross between sugar cookies and gingerbread, creating the best of both worlds. —April Drasin, Van Nuys, California

Cardamom Sour Cream Waffles

Sweet with just the right amount of spice, these easy waffles make it nearly impossible to skip your morning meal. —Barbie Miller, Oakdale, Minnesota

Chai-Spiced Bread Pudding

Nothing says the holidays to me more than the warming spices of chai. This bread pudding incorporates those flavors to make a dessert that everyone raves about. —Jessie Apfe, Berkeley, California

The Ultimate Fish Tacos

This recipe is my favorite meal to prepare. Adding my own personal touch to the marinade makes my fish tacos pop with flavor. I warm corn tortillas on the grill and add salsa, cilantro, purple cabbage and fresh squeezed lime. —Yvonne Molina, Moreno Valley, California

Apple Betty with Almond Cream

I love making this apple betty for friends during the peak of apple season. I plan a quick soup and bread meal, so we can get right to the dessert! —Elizabeth Godecke, Chicago, Illinois

Almond-Chai Granola

Whether you snack on it by the handful or eat it with milk or yogurt, you’ll be happy that you found this granola recipe. —Rachel Preus, Marshall, Michigan

Chai Cupcakes

You'll get a double dose of the spicy blend that's frequently used to flavor tea in these moist cakes. Both the cupcake and frosting use the blend, which combines some of the best flavors of the season. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Orange and Beet Salad

This jewel-colored orange and beet salad is one where I just kept adding touches until I got it just the way I want it. —Jessie Apfe, Berkeley, California

Cardamom Pumpkin Pudding Cake

This no-egg cake is quick, easy and bursting with flavor. I like to serve it with ice cream or whipped cream. —J. Fleming, Almonte, Ontario

Turkey Curry with Rice

When I have leftover turkey and a hankering for non-holiday food, I make turkey curry with carrots, cauliflower and mango chutney to spoon over rice. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Chai Tea Sandwich Cookies

You’ll love these cookies filled with a dreamy chai-infused ganache. They’re perfect after a meal, with a cup of tea, as a breakfast treat—or anytime at all. —Lauren Knoelke, Des Moines, Iowa

Red Lentil Soup Mix

Give your friends the gift of good health. Red lentils are protein powerhouses and are loaded with folate, iron and fiber. Oh, and this soup tastes amazing too. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Cinnamon Chip Chai-Spiced Snickerdoodles

I love cinnamon chips, and this is an intriguing way to use them. Make sure to stock up on them during the holiday season. —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas

Slow-Cooker Chai Tea

A wonderful sweet and spicy aroma wafts from the slow cooker as this fragrant and flavorful chai tea cooks. —Crystal Jo Burns, Iliff, Colorado

Gingerbread Cookies with Lemon Frosting

When I spread these spicy gingerbread rounds with my lemony cream cheese frosting, I knew I had a hit. Cardamom and allspice add a hint of chai tea flavor. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho

Pfeffernuesse Cookies

A German holiday tradition, these fragrant pfeffernuesse cookies pack a warm rush of spices in every bite. Also called peppernuts, they go wonderfully with coffee or tea.—Joanne Nelson, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Sunburst Spiced Tea

Our culinary experts use oranges and lemon to lend a lovely citrus flavor to ordinary black tea. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Pistachio Cardamom Cheesecake

Cardamom has a sweet and warm taste that makes you think of clove, allspice and pepper all wrapped in one spice. Mix it with pistachios and add to cheesecake for a dessert that suggests the exotic flavors of India. —Carolyn Harkonnen, Loomis, California

Pumpkin Eggnog Rolls

I needed to use up some eggnog, so I swapped it for milk in my sweet rollrecipe. Even people who usually don’t go for eggnog go back for seconds of these yummy frosted treats. —Rebecca Soske, Douglas, Wyoming

Citrus Gingerbread Cookies

Orange and lemon zest give gingerbread cutouts a refreshing twist. Brushing a honey glaze over the top adds a subtle shine and an extra touch of sweetness. —Monique Hooker, DeSoto, Wisconsin

Spiced Peach Cobbler

When you tuck into this warm and comforting fresh peach cobbler, you won’t miss the extra fat and calories a bit! —Mary E. Relyea, Canastota, New York

Warm Spiced Chai

My wife loves chai, but I have never been satisfied with any of the store-bought mixes, so I created my own. —Justin Weber, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Caroline has been with Taste of Home for the past seven years, working in both print and digital. After starting as an intern for the magazine and special interest publication teams, Caroline was hired as the third-ever digital editor for Taste of Home. Since then, she has researched, written and edited content on just about every topic the site covers, including cooking techniques, buzzy food news, gift guides and many, many recipe collections. Caroline also acts as the editorial lead for video, working with the Test Kitchen, videographers and social media team to produce videos from start to finish.When she’s not tip-tapping on a keyboard, Caroline is probably mixing up a killer co*cktail, reading a dog-eared library book or cooking up a multi-course feast (sometimes all at once). Though she technically lives in Milwaukee, there is a 50/50 chance Caroline is in Chicago or southwest Michigan visiting her close-knit family.

Amy is a book editor at Taste of Home where she gets to pour her passions for food and storytelling into trade and series cookbooks. When she’s not writing or editing, you’ll find her antiquing, cooking and baking from her favorite vintage cookbooks and exploring Milwaukee’s urban beauty with her digital SLR in hand.