I remember the first time I had Cardamom. It was on a cookie …. sugar and cardamom. Now you can substitute in Maple Syrup or Coconut Sugar for the processed stuff. But there’s just something about Cardamom that makes a cookie memorable, crave-able.

I will give you a cookie recipe, but still…. as I research and wonder why I didn’t get these cookies as a child, it becomes obvious. If we go to All Recipes it becomes quickly evident that Cardamom is a Worldwide Flavor and it’s a spice you don’t forget once you’ve had it. I heard another chef talking about nutmeg in that way. With a white sauce, if it’s missing, you know it. Well let me tell you what they are doing worldwide with Cardamom.

There’s Swedish Coffee Bread, Persian Braised Lamb Shanks, From India we have Curries, it can be in cookies from Scandinavia, but I can tell you first hand, I’m not making cookies with 2 sticks of butter. And when I do use butter, it’s GHEE. But I now have other choices in the recipes for you (and me), to use no butter. Keep reading!

Benefits of Cardamom

Okay. Now I am seriously having cravings for Cardamom Cookies. And while I am enjoying, I am going to remember that Cardamom helps with digestion, it’s an anti-inflammatory, it helps lower blood pressure and studies suggest that it actually supports fat burning.

Here’s an ingredient substitute making this recipe Dairy Free, then Gluten Free, then Sugar Free for a Cardamom Cookies, in case you feel like baking:

Dairy-Free Cardamom Cookies

These cookies are soft, slightly crispy on the edges, and filled with warm cardamom flavor!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut oil (or vegan butter)
• ¾ cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
• ¼ cup maple syrup (or another liquid sweetener)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 ½ tsp ground cardamom
• ¼ cup oat milk (or almond milk)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix coconut oil, coconut sugar, and maple syrup until creamy. Stir in vanilla extract.
3. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cardamom.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until combined. Add oat milk to bring the dough together.
5. Scoop out small dough balls (about 1 tbsp each) and place them on the baking sheet. Flatten slightly.
6. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are golden. Let cool on a wire rack.’

Gluten-Free Cardamom Cookies – These are soft, flavorful, and naturally dairy-free!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut oil (or vegan butter)
• ¾ cup coconut sugar (or maple syrup for softer cookies)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ¾ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (with xanthan gum)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 ½ tsp ground cardamom
• ¼ cup oat milk (or almond milk)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix coconut oil and coconut sugar until creamy. Stir in vanilla extract.
3. In another bowl, whisk gluten-free flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cardamom.
4. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing well. Stir in oat milk until dough comes together.
5. Scoop out 1 tbsp-sized balls of dough, place them on the baking sheet, and flatten slightly.
6. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are golden.
7. Let cool and enjoy!

Now here’s a Sugar-Free Version

Sugar-Free Cardamom Cookies

Naturally sweetened, with no refined sugar!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut oil (or vegan butter)
• ½ cup monk fruit sweetener (or allulose/erythritol blend)
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce (adds natural sweetness)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ¾ cups almond flour (or coconut flour blend)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 ½ tsp ground cardamom
• ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix coconut oil, monk fruit sweetener, and applesauce until well combined. Stir in vanilla extract.
3. In another bowl, whisk almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cardamom.
4. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Add almond milk to bring the dough together.
5. Scoop 1 tbsp-sized balls, place them on the baking sheet, and press them down slightly.
6. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are golden brown.

So I am going to call it quits here, with a satisfied smile on my face. And you? If you are really going strong on Cardamom now, let me give you a healthier Cardamom Cake you can make today and enjoy as a weekend treat!

Signature Cardamom & Citrus Almond Cake (Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free!)

This cake is moist, fragrant and naturally sweetened with a touch of citrus and warm cardamom—perfect for tea time or a special treat!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups almond flour
• ½ cup coconut sugar (or maple syrup)
• 3 eggs (or flax eggs: 3 tbsp flaxseed + 9 tbsp water)
• ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
• ¼ cup fresh orange juice (or lemon juice)
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt

For Garnish (Optional):

• Sliced almonds for crunch
• A light dusting of powdered monk fruit sweetener
• Drizzle of cardamom-infused honey (warm honey + a pinch of cardamom)

  

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk eggs, coconut sugar, melted coconut oil, orange juice, zest, and vanilla until smooth.
3. In another bowl, mix almond flour, cardamom, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until combined.
5. Pour batter into the cake pan, smoothing the top. Sprinkle with sliced almonds if using.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7. Let cool, then dust with powdered sweetener and drizzle with cardamom-infused honey.

Happy Healthier Eating!