Doolsho (Cardamom Sponge Cake)
While doolsho is simply translated as “cake” from the Somali language, this cardamom sponge cake is perhaps the most well-known cake among Somali people. This light cake gets its airiness from egg whites, which are whipped until cloudlike. Doolsho is an integral part of the Somali casariyo (afternoon tea) tradition, in which thick, cardamom-dotted slices are served alongside homemade cookies, sticky bright red xalwo (Somali-style halwa, an intensely sweet cardamom-scented dessert) and steaming cups of spiced shaah (chai) or gingery qahwo (coffee). It’s not only a coveted afternoon snack, but also a beloved dessert and the star of the to-go boxes that are a fixture of traditional weddings. While this cake is served plain without any bells and whistles such as frosting or glaze, its simplicity allows the floral flavor of the cardamom to bloom.
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