Goodnight Rose: Pistachio-Cardamom Cake with Rosewater Frosting

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup shelled raw pistachios
• 2/3 cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom (use 1/8 teaspoon if using freshly ground cardamom)
• 4 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1/2 cup milk, room temperture
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 3 large egg whites
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 12 tablespoon (1 1/2 sticks, 6 ounces) unsalted butter, slightly cooler than room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon rose water (NOT rose syrup!) - this can be found at Middle Eastern and Indian groceries and even at places like Whole Foods
• 1 drop pink food coloring (optional)
• 8 pink rosebuds (optional; available from tea shops)