Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line the square 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and grease with butter spray or butter; Set aside.
In a wide mixing bowl add all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cardamom powder; mix well
In a separate bowl or mixing glass, add sweetened condensed milk, oil, milk, sour cream, pineapple essence and mix till combined
Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients in 2 or more batches and mix until the mixture is combined well enough, but not blended too much. Avoid over mixing as over mixed batter results in a dense cake
Add the batter into the prepared cake pan and tap the pan 2 or 3 times on the counter to remove air bubbles
Bake for 30 - 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Also, the top of the cake should be a golden brown color
Let the cake cool for 10 minutes. Then carefully flip the cake (if required run a knife along the edge and release the cake)
Remove the pan and parchment paper and let the cake cool completely. Meanwhile, prepare the syrup
In a small saucepan take water and sugar
Cook on medium heat and stir until the sugar crystals completely dissolve in water
Simmer to low flame and cook for 2 minutes. Move the pan aside and after the sugar syrup turns lukewarm add pineapple essence and honey; stir to combine; set aside and let the sugar syrup cool completely
In a heavy-bottomed pan combine jam and powdered sugar; mix well
Turn on the stove on low flame and cook the jam for 30 seconds or until the powdered sugar is well blended with the jam and it comes to a spreadable consistency
Once the cake and sugar syrup are completely cooled, trim the sides of the cake
Use a skewer to prick the cake all over
Gradually pour the honey syrup gently over the cake and use a spoon to spread the syrup as you pour. Make sure you pour along the sides. The syrup will get absorbed immediately
Use a spoon or knife to evenly spread jam over the cake. Make sure a thin layer of jam is spread
Sprinkle coconut flakes all over the cake and enjoy