Semolina Cake

All the cinnamony goodness of a doughnut in the shape and texture of a cookie. YUM!

Ingredients

  • 1 ⅓ cups + 1 Tbsp coarse semolina

  • ⅓ cup plain flour

  • ¼ tsp salt

  • ¾ cup + 2 Tbsp caster sugar

  • ⅓ cup olive oil (or any oil)

  • ½ cup coconut or regular yogurt

  • ¾ cup unsweetened plant or regular milk (I used soy)

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • finely grated zest of 1 orange and 1 lemon (or 2 lemons or 2 oranges)

  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder

  • ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda

  • Syrup:

  • juice of 1 small orange and 1 lemon (or 2 lemons or 2 small oranges)

  • ⅓ cup sugar

Method

  1. Place the semolina, flour, salt and sugar in a large bowl and whisk to combine.

  2. Add the oil, yogurt, milk, vanilla, orange blossom water (if using) and zest. Whisk until no lumps remain then set aside to soak for 30 minutes.

  3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease a 20cm cake tin and line with baking paper.

  4. After the batter has soaked for 30 minutes, sprinkle over the baking powder and bicarbonate of soda and whisk to combine.

  5. Pour the batter into the prepared tin and spread level. (Note: I sprinkled a handful of flaked almonds onto the top towards the end of baking, about 10 minutes before taking out of the oven)

  6. Bake for about 35 minutes until the cake is firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.

  7. While the cake is baking make the syrup. Mix the orange and/or lemon juice in a jug then measure out ⅓ cup and pour it into a small saucepan.

  8. Add the sugar and place the pan over a low heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved then bring up to a simmer for a minute then remove from the heat.

  9. When the cake is done, poke holes all over the top with a toothpick and drizzle over the syrup. Make sure that you cover the cake evenly, don't just pour it all in the middle.

  10. Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 15 minutes, until the syrup has soaked in, then carefully turn it out onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely.