Kek-e Yazdi (کیک یزدی) is a traditional cupcake originating from the city of Yazd, a significant desert city in central Iran. This cupcake is one of the popular Iranian desserts, known for its delicate texture, aromatic flavor, and characteristic appearance resembling a small muffin.
Kek-e Yazdi has its roots in the historic city of Yazd. The tradition of baking sweet desserts in Yazd has a long history (I personally brought back plenty of sweet food souvenirs from Yazd!), stretching back several centuries. Kek-e Yazdi is one of the most famous and oldest local recipes.
The main ingredients for this muffin-like cupcake include all-purpose flour, eggs, sugar, thick yogurt, oil, honey, baking powder, ground cardamom, and optionally rose water. The cupcake is often garnished with chopped pistachios or almonds.
Kek-e Yazdi has a soft, fluffy texture. The flavor is dominated by the strong aroma of cardamom, complemented by subtle notes of rose water and gentle sweetness. Thanks to the use of rose water and cardamom, this cupcake represents a quintessential example of Persian pastry traditions, which heavily rely on fragrant and aromatic ingredients. The recipe uses a generous amount of oil, ensuring the cupcake is far from dry.
I tried kek-e Yazdi directly in Yazd, purchasing one piece for 100,000 IRR (0.10 EUR) at a pastry shop near Amir Chakhmagh Square.
Bon appétit!
