Preheat oven to 350F and grease and flour three 4” cake rounds.
Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, baking powder and cardamom in a bowl.
Add butter, and beat well with a hand mixer or in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
In a separate bowl, whisk together egg, sour cream and oil until combined.
Pour in the flour and butter mixture, and beat on medium for 3-4 minutes. The mixture will be dry at this point.
Add in water and mix until just combined. Do not over mix.
Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula.
Bake for approx. 20 mins or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
Place cakes on wire rack to cool for 10 mins then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely