Cardamom-Honey Yogurt and Crème Fraîche Topping

A lightly spiced, creamy topping made with Greek yogurt and crème fraîche, sweetened with honey and warmed with cardamom — perfect with apple cake or crumbles.

Servings:

Calories: 81kcal

Ingredients

100 g crème fraîche
100 g plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup more to taste
½ teaspoon ground cardamom freshly crushed if possible
A small pinch ground cloves
A small pinch ground cinnamon
Optional: a few drops rose water or vanilla extract
Optional: 1 teaspoon icing sugar for extra sweetness

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Stir the crème fraîche and yogurt together until smooth.
Mix in honey, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and, if using, rose water or vanilla.
Taste and add a little extra sweetener if you prefer.
Chill for at least 15 minutes; serve cool as a spoonful alongside warm apple cake, spice cake or fruit crumbles.

Notes

Balance of tang and creaminess: Using both yogurt and crème fraîche gives a nice mix of lightness and richness. Adjust the ratio if you prefer it thicker or milder.
Freshly ground cardamom makes a big difference in aroma — worth the extra step if you have whole pods.
Make-ahead friendly: You can prepare it a few hours in advance and keep it chilled until serving.
Sweetness: Taste before serving — the honey is subtle, so feel free to add more or stir in a touch of icing sugar.
Pairing: Pairs beautifully with warm apple cake, spice cakes, fruit crumbles or roasted stone fruits.

Recipe Twist Ideas

Citrus twist:
Add fresh orange or lemon zest for a brighter, slightly tangy layer of flavor.
Toasted nuts topping:
Top the cream with chopped toasted pistachios, walnuts, or almonds just before serving for extra texture and contrast.
Saffron touch:
Infuse the yogurt-cream mix with a few threads of saffron soaked in warm milk — luxurious and aromatic.
Chai-spice blend:
Swap the individual spices for a small pinch of ground chai mix (with cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, cardamom, etc.).
Vanilla bean upgrade:
Use fresh vanilla bean instead of extract for a more intense, natural sweetness.
Coconut variation:
Replace half the yogurt with thick coconut yogurt and use maple syrup for a subtle tropical note.

Nutrition