SFOUF (LEBANESE TURMERIC CAKE)

Sfouf (Lebanese Turmeric Cake) image

This Lebanese cake flavored with anise seeds was one of my favorite treats growing up. It's a beautiful bright yellow thanks to turmeric powder. My grandmother shared her recipe with me so I can finally make it for myself!

Provided by LauraF

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Middle Eastern Lebanese

Time 50m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 11

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Ingredients

1 tablespoon tahini
1 ½ cups boiling water
2 teaspoons whole anise seeds
1 ½ cups white sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 ¼ teaspoons anise seed powder
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons pine nuts

Steps:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with tahini.
Combine boiling water and anise seeds in a glass measuring cup; let steep, about 5 minutes. Strain into a bowl; stir in sugar until dissolved. Discard anise seeds.
Mix flour, turmeric, baking powder, and anise seed powder together in a bowl. Make a well in the center; mix in oil and butter. Stir in sweetened anise water until batter is the consistency of thick yogurt.
Pour batter into the prepared baking pan. Score top into diamond shapes with the tip of a knife; place 1 pine nut in the center of each diamond.
Bake in the preheated oven until top is lightly browned, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 283.3 calories, Carbohydrate 37.5 g, Cholesterol 15.3 mg, Fat 13.9 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 4.9 g, Sodium 48.9 mg, Sugar 18.8 g