Lebanese Sfouf
Last Updated on March 12, 2023 by Jacqueline Rafidi
Sfouf is a delicious Lebanese cake that gets its bright yellow color from turmeric powder. It is slightly sweet with a light anise flavor and has lots of great moisture. It comes together quickly in one bowl and is baked like a traditional sheet cake. “Sfouf” in Arabic translates to rows, so once its baked, the cake is cut into rows, but the color and a sprinkling of nuts on top give it some extra flair from the traditional sheet cake. Since there are no eggs or dairy in here, it’s the perfect recipe to eat during lent! Give this recipe a try and when you do, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram and Facebook @thebitewithjackie
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 ½ cups fine semolina (smeed)
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon turmeric powder
1 Tablespoon ground anise
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable/canola/flavorless oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups water
2 tablespoons tahini OR vegetable oil to grease your 9×13 baking dish
Slivered almonds or toasted pine nuts to top (Optional but recommended)
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350F
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, semolina and sugar. Add in the turmeric, ground anise, baking powder and salt and whisk to combine. Add in the vegetable oil, water and vanilla extract, carefully whisk until fully combined.
Grease your 9×13 baking dish with either 2 tablespoons of tahini or vegetable oil before pouring in all the batter. Place the pine nuts or almonds on top of the cake in desired pattern before placing in the oven to bake for 35-40 minutes. Use a toothpick to check the center of the cake to be sure its fully cooked through. Remove from oven and cut into desired “sfouf”/rows before serving. Enjoy & Sahtein!
Lebanese Sfouf
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups fine semolina smeed
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon turmeric powder
- 1 Tablespoon ground anise
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup vegetable/canola/flavorless oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons tahini OR vegetable oil to grease your 9×13 baking dish
- Slivered almonds or toasted pine nuts to top Optional but recommended
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, semolina and sugar. Add in the turmeric, ground anise, baking powder and salt and whisk to combine. Add in the vegetable oil, water and vanilla extract, carefully whisk until fully combined.
- Grease your 9×13 baking dish with either 2 tablespoons of tahini or vegetable oil before pouring in all the batter. Place the pine nuts or almonds on top of the cake in desired pattern before placing in the oven to bake for 35-40 minutes. Use a toothpick to check the center of the cake to be sure its fully cooked through. Remove from oven and cut into desired “sfouf”/rows before serving. Enjoy & Sahtein!
