Last Updated on December 20, 2019 by Chef Mireille
Sfoof – Lebanese Semolina Turmeric Cake
Sfoof is a Lebanese Semolina Turmeric cake. This eggless cake is so flavorful enhanced with turmeric, anise, rose water and orange blossom water. With all the benefits of turmeric including pain reliever, anti inflammatory, digestive and cancer preventative, this is one of the most delicious ways to enjoy this healthful spice.
This is a very popular cake in Lebanon and one of the most popular street foods of Beirut. Traditionally, the bottom of the pan is coated with tahini, sesame seed paste. I am not a tahini fan. I find the flavor very overpowering. Yes, I am one of the few people who do not go ga-ga over hummus because of the tahini. Despite the small amount used in this recipe, I still played it safe and replaced it with almond butter to be sure I would like this cake. So the cake would still have the required sesame flavor, I opted for the sesame seed garnish instead of the nuts that are sometimes used.
I was a little hesitant about the large amount of turmeric in a sweet cake, but with the flower waters and anise, it is a great balance of flavors and the cake has just the right amount of sweetness. Not to mention all the health benefits of turmeric, who can resist this sweet presentation?
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Not a super moist cake, it has a texture similar to American cornbread.
This cake is perfect for tea time. Although not a Lebanese recipe, this Kashmiri Saffron Tea would compliment this cake wonderfully.
Sfoof – Lebanese Semolina Turmeric Cake
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange blossom water
- 1 teaspoon rose water
- 2 cups semolina
- 1 ¼ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
- 2 ½ teaspoons ground anise seed
- ¾ cup softened butter
- 3 tablespoons almond butter or tahini
- sesame seeds almonds or pine nuts, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a 9×12 baking dish with non stick spray.
- Spread almond butter or tahini on bottom of pan.
- In a saucepan, heat milk and sugar until sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Add orange blossome water and rose water. Mix until thoroughly incorporated. Leave to cool.
- While it is cooling, combine semolina, flour, baking powder, salt, turmeric and anise seed in a large bowl. Mix until well blended.
- Using a pastry blender, cut the soft butter into the flour (as if you were making American style biscuits or scones) until it looks crumbly.
- Add heated milk and mix until well blended.
- Garnish the top with sesame seeds or nuts.
- Transfer to prepared pan. Bake for 40 minutes until golden.
Nutrition
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This looks delicious, I can’t wait to try it!
Let me know when you do. I am sure you will love it
I loved this cake when I made it last mega BM; looks amazing.
yes I too have fallen in love with the flavors in this cake
Wow, this looks and sounds so good! I love all of the spices and flavors. I can’t wait to give this a try!
I am sure you will like it as much as I do!
Turmeric does sound a little odd , and frankly speaking I would be hesitant , but sounds very interesting , would love to give it a shot .
I know I was hesitant also but with all the other flavors I promise you it’s delicious
I’ve never seen turmeric in a cake before, but digging the flavour combinations of rose water and orange blossom water too
Wow, that sounds super interesting, but I love the bright turmeric color!
You wouldn’t think turmeric would taste so good in a cake but with all the other flavors it is so delicious
What an interesting sounding cake. I would have never guessed to use turmeric in a cake.
neither would I but I am so glad I took the plunge and tried it. really is an amazing cake for tea time
I want to try it but do not have orange blossom water. can we make it without it without compromising too much on the taste?
no I think it will be fine. If you want add a little orange zest!
This cake looks so good Mir. We usually add turmeric in savoury recipes but this one is quite interesting. The texture of the cake has turned out amazing..
you wouldn’t believe it but it is tasty and with the health benefits I am not adding turmeric in sweets!
Sfoof looks so tempting… its on my to do list, don’t know when I’ll get round to baking it.
you should definitely try it – so flavorful!
Wow mir, that cake looks fab! love the combination of flavors, so vibrant! i m going to make this soon!!
You should. I am sure you will love it!
you must let me know when you do. Would like to know how you enjoyed it!