Sri Lanka · Asia

Sri Lankan Love Cake

A dense semolina-cashew cake baked low and slow so the middle sets without drying out.

Intermediate#104 most lovedUses: Starch Gelatinization
Sri Lankan love cakesemolina cashew cake

The Chemistry in This Bake

Baking a very dense semolina-and-nut batter slowly so the interior sets without drying the exterior.

Learn the full technique →

Ingredients

  • Semolina
  • Cashews (finely ground)
  • Eggs
  • Sugar
  • Butter
  • Honey
  • Nutmeg and cardamom
  • Rose water (or vanilla)
  • Candied fruit (optional)

Method

  1. Dry-toast the semolina lightly and cool.

  2. Beat eggs and sugar until thick and pale.

  3. Fold in semolina, ground cashews, melted butter, honey, and spices.

  4. Rest the batter 1 hour so the semolina hydrates.

  5. Bake at 150 °C, low and slow, for about 1 hour until only just set in the center.

  6. Cool fully in the pan before slicing into small dense squares.