Can I mill a different grain?

You can swap soft wheat and spelt in most cake recipes. If you want to use a different modern or ancient grain, you may need to adjust the liquids a little.

Can I use store-bought flour?

Of course! Using whole grain spelt flour will absolutely work. In Europe, pick up any whole wheat flour, as wheat is usually soft by default here. In the States, using whole wheat flour may require additional liquids, as hard wheat is more absorbent. Either add additional crème fraiche to your batter, or try to find white whole wheat flour, which is a little softer.

What other spices can I use instead of cardamom?

Cardamom isn't the most common spice, so if you're out, you can replace it with a teaspoon of ground ginger, pumpkin pie spice, or German Lebkuchengewürz — or just use an extra teaspoon of cinnamon. If you're not used to cardamom, you can also start with 1/2 teaspoon first. It can be intense if you haven't had it before.

Can I make this dairy free?

I haven't tested a dairy-free version yet, so I can't recommend swaps, but using a high-quality vegan block butter and vegan crème fraîche could be a good starting point for experimenting.

Cake

These are recipes for everyday joy — tender-crumbed, freshly milled, and often filled with whatever fruit the season offers. Cakes simple enough to bake on a whim, special enough to remember.