Lebanese Turmeric Cake with Almonds

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200g) fine semolina flour 1 cup (200g) fine semolina flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon ground anise 1/2 teaspoon ground anise
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup (180ml) milk 3/4 cup (180ml) milk
• 1/4 cup (60ml) orange blossom water 1/4 cup (60ml) orange blossom water
• 1/2 cup (60g) ground almonds 1/2 cup (60g) ground almonds
• Slivered almonds, for garnish Slivered almonds, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 1.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 42g, 22g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. 2.
   In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, semolina flour, baking powder, turmeric, anise, and salt.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, vegetable oil, milk, and orange blossom water. Mix until the sugar is dissolved.
4. 4.
   Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
5. 5.
   Fold in the ground almonds.
6. 6.
   Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
7. 7.
   Sprinkle slivered almonds on top for garnish.
8. 8.
   Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. 9.
   Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground Almonds — Make sure to use finely ground almonds for a smooth texture in the cake batter.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more pronounced anise flavor, you can add a pinch of ground anise seeds to the batter.
• Serve the cake with a drizzle of honey or a dusting of powdered sugar for added sweetness.
• If you prefer a lighter texture, you can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with cake flour.

Serving advice

Serve the Turmeric Cake with Almonds as a delightful dessert alongside a cup of hot tea or coffee. It can also be enjoyed as a sweet treat during breakfast or brunch.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, dust the top of the cake with a sprinkle of ground turmeric before serving. You can also garnish each slice with a sprig of fresh mint or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.