Middle Eastern · serves 2

Lebanese Semolina Cake

Semolina soaked in sugar syrup the moment it leaves the oven. Sticky, dense, unmistakable.

60 min Some work Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 300g coarse semolina
  • 100g desiccated coconut
  • 150g sugar
  • 225g yogurt
  • 115g butter, melted
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • Blanched almonds for the top
  • Syrup: 300g sugar, 240ml water, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp rose or orange blossom water

Method

  1. Mix semolina, coconut, sugar, yogurt, melted butter, baking powder and soda into a thick batter.
  2. Rest it 30 minutes so the semolina drinks the liquid. Skip this and it bakes gritty.
  3. Spread into a greased 20cm square tin and score into diamonds before baking.
  4. Press an almond into each diamond.
  5. 180°C for 35-40 minutes until deep golden.
  6. Meanwhile boil the syrup ingredients for 5 minutes and cool it.
  7. Pour cool syrup over the hot cake the second it comes out. Cold syrup onto hot cake is what makes it soak instead of sit.
  8. Leave several hours before cutting along the score lines.

Questions people ask about Lebanese Semolina Cake

How long does Lebanese Semolina Cake take?

About 60 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a bit of work. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What is the one thing to get right in Lebanese Semolina Cake?

Pour cool syrup over the hot cake the second it comes out. Cold syrup onto hot cake is what makes it soak instead of sit.

What can I use instead of curd in Lebanese Semolina Cake?

Use thick Greek yogurt, or regular yogurt hung in a cloth for 20 minutes. Thin yogurt splits more easily, so always take the pan off the heat first.

Can I make Lebanese Semolina Cake ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Lebanese Semolina Cake vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

Do I need an oven for Lebanese Semolina Cake?

Yes, this one needs an oven. If you do not have one, look at the no-oven filter on the baking page: eleven of the bakes here are built for a cooker, a pan or the fridge.

What do you serve with Lebanese Semolina Cake?

Flatbread, and a sharp salad to cut the richness. Baking is chemistry, so scale it by weight rather than by eye: double every quantity, use a tin with roughly double the area, and expect to add ten minutes or so. Judge it by the skewer, not the clock.

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