Himbasha (Ethiopian Sweet Cardamom Bread)
A large, soft, lightly sweet round loaf with cardamom and a pretty patterned top, baked for Ethiopian celebrations.
- Time2 hr 15
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £0.23 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Mix the flour, yeast, sugar, cardamom and salt in a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of the oil and the warm water and mix to a soft dough.
- 2
Knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Put in an oiled bowl, cover, and leave for 1 hour until doubled.
60 min - 3
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Knock the dough back and shape into a round about 25 cm wide on a lined baking tray.
- 4
Press the edge of a fork or a bread comb into the top to make 8 wedge shaped sections, like a pie. Leave a small round hollow in the middle. Cover and rest for 20 minutes.
20 min - 5
Brush with the last tablespoon of oil and scatter over the nigella seeds.
- 6
Bake for 28 minutes until deep golden and hollow sounding when tapped underneath.
28 min - 7
Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then tear into wedges to serve.
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.
