Yazdi Cupcakes (Cake Yazdi)

This is a no frosting, mildly sweet cupcake with rosewater aroma, cardamom flavor and chopped pistachios sprinkled on top. کیک یزدی Cake Yazdi takes its name after the city of Yazd, the capital of Yazd province in central Iran. This delicious cupcake is truly a delightful dessert that can be enjoyed during any time of the day. These cupcakes can be packed for your kid's lunch, family picnics or taken on a road trip or on a plane. That's how I remember having my last Yazdi cake from back home -- on the plane en route to New York many years ago. The memory is still fresh in my mind. One of our relatives handed me a brown bag filled with freshly baked yazdi cakes amidst the tears and goodbyes as I was about to board the plane early morning at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport. Sometimes, a kind gesture leaves you with an everlasting sweet memory.

This recipe is adapted from M.R. Ghanoonparvar's "Colucheh Yazdi" recipe in his Persian Cuisine cookbook.

Cake Yazdi -Yazdi Cupcakes 

Ingredients:
Makes 20-22 cupcakes

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup rice flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs, at room temperature
1 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
1 cup strained yogurt, at room temperature
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
2 tablespoons rosewater
2 tablespoons finely chopped pistachios

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 
2. In a large bowl beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating each egg for a minute before adding the next one. Add rosewater, mix well.
4. Beat in the yogurt one scoop at a time.
5. Sift all the dry ingredients. In a mixing bowl combine, flour, rice flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cardamom powder. Mix well
6. Line two cupcake trays with cupcake liners and spoon the batter into the cupcake liners until 2/3 full.
7. Garnish with chopped pistachios.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until light golden brown or when the inserted toothpick comes out clean. Remove the pans from the oven and allow to cool.

Serve with freshly brewed hot tea or coffee.

Enjoy!