Sfouf (Lebanese Turmeric Semolina Cake with Pine Nuts)
Local name: صفوف
In short: A moist golden cake of semolina and turmeric, lightly scented with anise, baked in a tahini-greased pan and topped with pine nuts. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Resting
- 20 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 280 kcal
Sfouf is a golden Lebanese semolina cake that many families bake at home. Turmeric gives the color without much flavor, and a little ground anise adds a gentle sweetness. The pan is brushed with tahini so the cake lifts out easily and gains a nutty edge, and pine nuts sit on top. It is egg-free, simple to mix and keeps for days, so it suits tea or a coffee break.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Brush a 23 cm (9 in) square baking pan with the tahini, covering the base and sides.
- In a large bowl, whisk the semolina, flour, sugar, turmeric, aniseed, baking powder and salt.
- Add the oil and water and stir until just smooth. The batter will be thick but pourable. Cover and rest for 20 minutes so the semolina softens.
- Pour the batter into the pan and level the top. Press the pine nuts lightly into the surface in rows.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until deep golden and a skewer in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, cut into diamonds or squares and lift out. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips
- Do not skip the rest. The semolina needs time to swell, which gives a moist, tender crumb instead of a gritty one.
- For a richer crumb, replace the water with unsweetened almond or coconut milk. A tablespoon of orange blossom water in the batter adds a floral note.
Questions and answers
Is sfouf vegan?
This version is, because it uses no eggs, milk or butter. Oil and water give the moist crumb, and the tahini on the pan adds a nutty edge.
Does sfouf taste of turmeric?
Only slightly. In this amount turmeric mostly adds the golden color, and the sugar and anise cover its earthy note.
How long does sfouf keep?
Covered at room temperature for 3 days, or frozen for 2 months. It tastes even better on the second day, once the crumb has settled.
How long does it take to make Sfouf (Lebanese Turmeric Semolina Cake with Pine Nuts)?
About 50 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sfouf (Lebanese Turmeric Semolina Cake with Pine Nuts)?
About 280 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 39 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 280 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 39 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Sodium | 120 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
