Himbasha, Ethiopian Cardamom Celebration Bread
A soft, lightly sweet Ethiopian round loaf scented with cardamom and scored with a pretty spoke pattern.
- Time2 hr 15
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £0.28 a head
- Oven180°C (160°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
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Method
- 1
Mix the flour, sugar, yeast, cardamom and salt in a large bowl. Add the 2 tbsp oil and the warm water and mix to a soft dough.
- 2
Knead for 10 minutes until smooth and stretchy. Cover and leave in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled.
60 min - 3
Knock the dough back, shape into a round and flatten into a 25 cm disc on a lined baking tray.
- 4
With the back of a knife, mark 8 to 10 lines from the centre to the edge, then press a small circle into the middle. Cover and rest for 20 minutes.
20 min - 5
Heat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Brush the dough with oil and sprinkle on the sesame seeds.
- 6
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until deep golden and hollow sounding when tapped underneath.
33 min 20 s - 7
Cool on a rack. Serve torn into pieces, with Ethiopian coffee or honey.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.