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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Sfouf Turmeric Cake

    By Mariam・Published: Oct 13, 2021・Updated: Jun 6, 2023・Post may have affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Sfouf is an exquisite Lebanese semolina turmeric cake. This recipe uses fine semolina, sugar, flour, milk, and aromatic turmeric in lieu of traditional Curcuma powder. Sfouf is one of those desserts that's always on the side of a good cup of Arabic coffee or cardamom tea.

    Sfouf is an eggless cake with bright yellow color. If you like sfouf, try other delicious semolina cakes like syrup-drenched namoura and basbousa.

    What I Love About This Recipe

    There is a feeling of comfort and home when this yellow cake is served for early morning gatherings or afternoon tea. The smell of this delicious Lebanese cake is enough to bring back beautiful childhood memories and time spent with loved ones.

    Ingredient Notes

    sfouf turmeric cake ingredients
    • Semolina: Goes without saying that this is the key ingredient of sfouf. I use fine semolina for this recipe to keep the cake's texture perfect. Avoid using coarse semolina in this one.
    • Flour: Semolina blends with all-purpose flour to make this cake fluffy and gorgeous.
    • Sugar: use granulated white sugar.
    • Oil: I use canola oil but any vegetable oil that's not strong on flavor works here too.
    • Milk: I recommend using cow's milk for this recipe with any fat content, so fat-free, whole-fat, and reduced-fat milk works.
    • Baking powder: Helps leaven the sfouf and adds volume.
    • Blanched almond halves/pine nuts: These are totally optional but are amazing on top of the sfouf.

    See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for quantities.

    How To Make Sfouf

    Preheat the oven to 350 ℉ (177 ℃). Measure out all of the ingredients.

    turmeric powder in a glass cup

    Add the semolina, flour, baking powder, salt, and turmeric to a large bowl. Pour the wet ingredients (milk and oil) into the dry ingredients.

    Mix everything really well until you get a blended batter.

    Pour the batter into a parchment paper-lined 9-inch square baking tin. Place the baking tin into a preheated oven. Bake at 350 ℉ (177 ℃) for 35 to 45 minutes or once a toothpick is inserted in the center of the cake and comes out clean.

    Serve this Lebanese semolina cake with a cup of coffee or a cup of tea.

    Tips and Tricks

    • Measure out the ingredients: This is super important to ensure that you get the perfect texture.
    • Preheat the oven: The sfouf cake batter is quick to make, so preheat the oven. This will speed things up a bit.
    • Cool it down: Don't cut the sfouf cake into pieces before you give it some time to cool down so that it doesn't come apart.
    sfouf piece of turmeric cake on a plate

    Variations and Substitutions

    • Tahini sfouf: In Lebanon, many people add tahini paste to the sfouf recipe or drizzle it over the cake once it's out of the oven.
    • Anise/cardamom sfouf: I sometimes add a teaspoon or two of ground anise seeds to the batter and the taste comes out heavenly. Some people I know also use cardamom to give sfouf a unique flavor.
    • Nutty Sfouf: You can add some chopped almonds or pine nuts to the batter to get some crunch in your cake.
    • Vegan Sfouf: Christians in Lebanon created a vegan version of sfouf to enjoy during lent season. This vegan sfouf basically omits the milk and replaces it with water. I tried this version once and I can tell you it's oh-so delicious.
    • Carob Molasses Sfouf: This is one of my mother's favorites and to make it we simply replace the milk with a cup of carob molasses or "debbes."

    Equipment

    • Measuring cups to measure out the ingredients
    • Square 9 inch baking pan to bake the turmeric cake
    • Parchment paper to line the 9" baking dish
    • Wire hand whisk to mix the turmeric cake batter in a large glass bowl

    Storage

    Store this Lebanese sfouf cake for up to a week in an airtight container at room temperature (during cooler months).

    Sfouf lasts for around 10 days if stored in the fridge. I store sfouf in an airtight container in the fridge rather than at room temperature, especially when I make it in the summer. This turmeric cake doesn't freeze well so I would avoid placing it in the freezer.

    FAQs

    Can I replace the semolina in this recipe?


    Semolina cannot be replaced in this recipe because it's what gives the cake its texture.

    What's the difference between curcumin and turmeric?

    Curcumin is often extracted from turmeric. Turmeric spice is made from dried and ground turmeric root.

    Is sfouf cake healthy?

    This cake is on the lighter side compared to other baked desserts, especially if you lighten it up. That said, it still contains sugar, oil, and flour, so consume it in moderation, but enjoy every morsel!

    Traditional Lebanese Recipes

    • ground spices in dishes
      Lebanese 7 Spice Blend (Sabaa Baharat)
    • mahshi kousa in a pot
      Kousa Mahshi Lebanese Stuffed Zucchini
    • grilled chicken shish tawook skewers in a bowl
      Shish Tawook Lebanese Chicken Kabobs
    • bulgar wheat tabouli
      Lebanese Tabouli Salad (Tabbouleh)

    Semolina Desserts

    • Lebanese namoura
      Namoura Syrup-Soaked Semolina Cake
    • basbousa semolina cake with honey and yogurt
      Basbousa Semolina Cake
    • Semolina Pudding Syrian Mamouniyeh
      Syrian Semolina Porridge (Mamouniyeh)
    • Date Ma'amoul Mad Bars

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    📋 Recipe

    sfouf turmeric cake

    Sfouf Turmeric Cake

    Author: Mariam
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Lebanese
    Prep: 15 minutes mins
    Cook: 40 minutes mins
    Total: 55 minutes mins
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate Email
    Servings 16
    Sfouf is a Lebanese turmeric cake made from fine semolina, sugar, flour, ground turmeric, and milk. It's served with coffee or tea, and it's delicious.

    Ingredients
     
    US Customary - Metric

    • 3 cups fine semolina
    • 1 cup flour 120 grams
    • 2 cups sugar
    • 2 teaspoon turmeric powder
    • 2½ teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 cup canola oil or any other vegetable oil
    • 1½ cups milk
    • Dash of salt
    • Almonds/pine nuts for decorating optional

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 ℉ (177 ℃).
    • Start by mixing the semolina, flour, turmeric baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. 
    • Add the milk and oil to the same bowl and make sure to mix everything really well until you get a blended batter. 
    • Pour the batter into a greased square 9-inch brownie tin and place it into a pre-heated oven. 
    • Bake at 350 ℉ (177 ℃) for 35 to 45 minutes. You'll know it's done when you insert a knife or chopstick and it comes out all clear. 

    Notes

    1. Store at room temperature for 7 days or in the refrigerator for 10 days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 piece | Calories: 383 kcal | Carbohydrates: 56 g | Protein: 6 g | Fat: 15 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14 g | Trans Fat: 0 g | Cholesterol: 3 mg | Sodium: 12 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 26 g

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    About Mariam

    I am Mariam Nabbout, a writer and content creator. I’ve spent years dedicating research, digital, and filmmaking skills to come up with content that's just as meaningful as it is inspiring. A few of my obsessions include good branding, films, photography, design, art, and of course, food.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 6 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. S

      April 08, 2025 at 10:56 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is great! Thank you so much. We really enjoyed it 🙂

      Reply
      • Lily

        April 08, 2025 at 1:41 pm

        Thanks for the comment!

        Reply
    2. Jennifer

      March 15, 2025 at 3:38 pm

      5 stars
      This was a very easy cake to make with simple ingredients (once you find the coarse semolina). While the turmeric taste may not appeal to everyone I loved the taste and the wonderful texture of the cake. The batter had a lovely sunny yellow colour thanks to the turmeric. I found the cake delicious and addictive.

      Reply
      • Lily

        March 15, 2025 at 5:28 pm

        Thanks for the comment Jennifer! I like to enjoy it with coffee or tea, yum!

        Reply
    3. Soumaya

      July 28, 2023 at 5:46 am

      5 stars
      Looks delicious and easy to make
      I'm going to make it later

      Reply
      • Lily

        July 28, 2023 at 9:32 am

        Let us know how it turns out!

        Reply
    4. Lea

      December 19, 2021 at 6:12 pm

      5 stars
      Turmeric cake, also known as sfouf, is a beautiful and tasty cake especially with a cup of coffee or tea. Great to enjoy in the moment.

      Reply
      • Lily

        December 19, 2021 at 6:16 pm

        Thank you for the comment!

        Reply

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    lily at the matbakh

    I'm Lily

    I'm an American Lebanese living in Texas. My kitchen, or matbakh, is a hodgepodge of recipes from the U.S. and Mediterranean region.

    ABOUT ME

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