Sfouf Turmeric Cake is a popular Lebanese semolina cake that’s light, fluffy, and has a beautiful golden color. It’s easy to make and can be dairy-free by using water instead of milk, and it will still taste delicious.
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Sfouf is a simple yet flavorful cake that highlights the versatility of turmeric in baking. Its signature golden color comes from turmeric powder, which not only adds a warm, earthy flavor but also makes this dessert visually striking. Unlike other cakes, Sfouf uses semolina for a slightly coarse texture, while a light drizzle of tahini in the pan creates a nutty aroma and prevents sticking. Whether made with milk or water, this cake remains soft, moist, and surprisingly easy to prepare. A handful of pine nuts or almonds on top adds the perfect finishing touch, making Sfouf an excellent choice for everyday treats or special occasions.
Recipe Summary
Sfouf is a traditional Lebanese turmeric cake known for its golden color, soft texture, and simple preparation.
Flavor Profile : Earthy from turmeric, lightly sweet, and slightly nutty.
Cooking Techniques : Mix dry and wet ingredients, grease the pan, and bake until golden.
Preparation Time : 15 minutes
Cook Time : 30 minutes (plus an optional 2 minutes for broiling)
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Unique Flavor: The turmeric adds a warm, earthy twist to a classic semolina cake.
Vibrant Color: Naturally golden and eye-catching for any occasion.
Versatile: Can be made dairy-free and topped with your choice of nuts.
Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples you likely already have.
Easy Preparation: Mix, bake, and enjoy with minimal effort.
Perfect for Sharing: A crowd-pleaser for gatherings or as a tea-time treat.
Ingredients for Sfouf (Turmeric Cake) recipe:
Semolina: Adds a slightly coarse texture and absorbs moisture, making the cake soft and crumbly.
Flour: Provides structure and helps the cake rise, giving it a light yet firm consistency.
Sugar: Brings sweetness to balance the earthy flavors, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and ensures a tender crumb, while preventing the cake from becoming too dry.
Milk: Contributes to the cake’s softness and richness, creating a smooth, moist texture.
Turmeric: Infuses the cake with a warm, earthy flavor and imparts its signature golden color.
Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and achieve a light, fluffy texture by releasing gas during baking.
Tahini or Vegetable Oil: Used for greasing, it adds a subtle nuttiness (tahini) or smooth richness (oil), ensuring the cake doesn’t stick.
Pistachios: Provide a crunchy texture and a rich, slightly sweet flavor that complements the soft cake.
How to make Sfouf Turmeric Cake :
Step 1 : Whisk dry ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the dry ingredients to ensure an even blend. Start by combining the all-purpose flour, semolina, sugar, baking powder, and turmeric. Make sure the ingredients are well distributed, so the cake batter will have a consistent texture and the flavors are balanced throughout
Step 2 : Combine wet ingredients
Next, add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture. Pour in the milk and vegetable oil, ensuring an even distribution of liquids. Using a hand mixer, blend the ingredients together on a medium speed, mixing until the batter is smooth and well combined, with no lumps remaining.
Step 3 : Prepare the baking tray
Take a silicone pastry brush and dip it into either tahini or vegetable oil. Gently brush the surface of a baking tray, ensuring an even coating to prevent the cake from sticking during baking. This will help the cake release easily once it’s finished cooking, ensuring a smooth removal.
Step 4 : Pour and garnish
Carefully pour the smooth cake batter into the prepared metal tray, spreading it evenly across the surface. Once the batter is in place, generously sprinkle your choice of nuts—such as pistachios—or even sesame seeds on top, ensuring an even distribution to add texture and flavor to the finished cake .
Step 5 : Bake
Place the prepared cake in a preheated oven set to 350°F (175°C). Allow it to bake for approximately 30 minutes, checking for a golden color and a firm texture. The cake should rise and develop a slight crisp on top while remaining moist inside .
Step 6 : Optional syrup
Once the cake is finished baking, carefully remove it from the oven. If desired, brush the top with a thin layer of simple syrup to add extra sweetness and moisture. This step is optional, but it enhances the flavor. Afterward, return the cake to the oven and broil for about 2 minutes, watching closely until the top turns a rich golden color, giving it a beautiful, slightly crispy finish .
Step 7 : Cool and serve
Allow the cake to cool slightly before cutting it into neat squares or elegant diamond shapes. Additionally, for an extra touch of sophistication, decorate the pieces with devil rose petals, adding a pop of color and a delicate floral note. Finally, arrange the cake on a beautiful serving stand for an impressive presentation. Enjoy this delightful treat, perfect for any occasion.
Easy Sfouf Turmeric Cake Tutorial :
Recipe tips :
Tray size : If you want your Sfouf Turmeric Cake to be thinner, use a larger tray; for a thicker result, choose a smaller tray.
Dairy-free : To make it dairy-free, replace the milk with water or orange juice for a delightful twist.
Start : with 2 1/2 cups of milk. Additionaly If needed , you can add the other half.
Flour : The amount may vary depending on the type of flour used—some require more liquid, while others need less.
Cooking times : can vary between ovens, so you might need to adjust the baking duration accordingly
Watch the full recipe in Instagram .
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Sfouf cake dairy-free?
Yes, you can easily make Sfouf cake dairy-free by substituting milk with water or a plant-based milk, such as almond or oat milk.
Can I make Sfouf cake ahead of time?
Yes, Sfouf cake can be made ahead of time. It’s actually a great make-ahead dessert as the flavors deepen after resting for a day or two. Simply store it in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate it to keep it fresh.
Can I use other nuts instead of pistachios for the topping?
Absolutely! You can use pine nuts, slivered almonds, or even sesame seeds for the topping, depending on your preference.
How do I store leftover Sfouf cake?
Refrigerator: Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Reheat: To reheat, warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in the oven at a low temperature (about 300°F or 150°C) for a few minutes.
Freeze: Wrap the cake slices tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to a month.
More Recipes like this recipe :
Sfouf Turmeric Cake
Ingredients
- Semolina – 1 cup fine semolina
- Flour – 2½ cups flour
- Sugar – optionally 2 cups sugar or less if you don’t like it sweet
- Vegetable oil- 1 cup vegetable oil
- Milk – 3 cups milk I used 3 cups of milk but start with 2 1/2 if you need more, then add the other half of cup
- Turmeric – 2 tablespoons turmeric
- Baking Powder – 1 tablespoon baking powder
- Tahini/ vegetable oil – 2 tablespoons tahini or vegetable oil for greasing
- Pistachios – ¼ cup crushed pistachios pine nuts, or sliced almonds .
Instructions
- Whisk dry ingredients – Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, semolina, sugar, baking powder, and turmeric.
- Combine wet ingredients – Add the wet ingredients: Pour in the milk and vegetable oil. Then , mix using a hand mixer until everything is well combined and the batter is smooth.
- Prepare the baking tray – Brush a baking tray using Silicone Pastry Brush with tahini or vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Pour and garnish – Pour the cake batter into the prepared Metallic Tray and sprinkle your choice of nuts ,Pistachios , (or even sesame seeds) evenly on top.
- Bake – Place in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 30 minutes.
- Optional syrup – Remove the cake from the oven and brush it with simple syrup if desired. Then, return it to the oven and broil for 2 minutes until the top turns a golden color.
- Cool and serve – Allow the cake to cool slightly before cutting it into squares or diamonds. For an extra touch, decorate with Edible Rose Petals before serving it on this beautiful stand for an elegant presentation. Enjoy!