Semolina and coconut are one of the best combo whether it is savory or sweet, they shine well together. We have a breakfast dish made of semolina and coconut which is savory called upma. It has been long time I am planning to make Coconut Namoura which I usually get from my favorite middle eastern store. But didn’t make it because it is too much for a one person to finish. This recipe has cake base which is something new and decided to try it. This Semolina coconut cake is simple, yet nutty and great with a cup of coffee.
This recipe is adapted from Traditional Jewish Baking: Retro Recipes Your Grandma Would Make… If She Had a Mixer by Carine Goren . I liked the recipe, but I made changes, as her recipe doesn’t have salt in it; also, the amount of baking powder is a little off. So adjusted that. This recipe requires a little prep as you need to beat egg yolks and egg whites separately, other than that this is easy. Once the cake is baked add warm sugar syrup into the cake. But it won’t be soggy as Coconut Namoura. Still moist and great tasting with a cup of coffee, the sweetness is perfect not gone overboard.
If you are trying semolina for first time, then you will feel like cornmeal cake, but it tastes different. If you use the semolina available here in US grocery stores, then cake will be more yellowish in color. I used fine semolina from the Indian store. Also used fine desiccated coconut. Best part of the cake is that it has orange juice in cake. May be next time I will add some rose extract or orange blossom to the sugar syrup to make the cake aromatic. May be addition of orange zest will be good too. Otherwise no other changes needed.
I halved the original recipe to make it into 8x8 in cake you can serve them with your favorite coffee or tea.
Let me know how it turned out for you.
Semolina coconut cake
Ingredients
- For cake
- 2 eggs separated
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoon 90ml vegetable oil
- ½ cup 120ml freshly squeezed orange juice
- ½ cup 80g semolina/rava
- ½ cup 70g all purpose flour
- ½ cup 50g desiccated coconut
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup + 2 tbsp 75g sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- For the syrup
- ½ cup 120ml water
- ½ cup 100g sugar
- 1 tablespoon 15ml lemon juice
- For garnish
- ¼ cup 25g desiccated coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F/180C and grease 8x8 inch pan and line with parchment paper
- In a bowl add flour, semolina, all-purpose flour, baking powder, desiccated coconut and salt and mix well and set aside.
- In another bowl add orange juice, two egg yolks and vegetable oil and mix well.
- Add this egg-oil- orange juice mixture to semolina mixture and mix well and set aside.
- In a kitchen aid bowl add two egg whites and gradually add sugar while beating. Once it reaches soft stiff peak mix in with semolina mixture.
- Then transfer to prepared pan and bake at 350F/ 180C for about 30 minutes
- While cake is baking make the sugar syrup, heat water in a bowl and add sugar and heat until sugar melt, switch off the heat and add lemon juice.
- While cake is warm poke the cake with fork and add the syrup and garnish with desiccated coconut
- Enjoy
Nutrition
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This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread. All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.
Trinka Stumpfer says
This recipe has become a family favorite. We do not always have fresh oranges, so I have used bottled juice and added a little orange zest. And we always toast the coconut on the topping. Thanks for a great recipe!
Reena Sequeira says
Hello Swathi, thank you for this amazing simple and delicious recipe, I love semolina and coconut combination it's just wonderful, it turned out delicious, soft and crumbly texture just melts in your mouth. Thanks again.
Rafeeda - The Big Sweet Tooth says
You have had me at the orange juice! The cake sounds very interesting... There are so many variations of namoura, and I guess it differs from family to family... 🙂 I feel like having a couple of pieces right away...
Victoria says
Amazing recipe.
Am salivating already.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
L Michelle Williams says
What a wonderful post! This looks delicious, I'd love to try it--looks so tasty. At first, I thought it said "Salmonella," cake. Haha. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Michael S. says
Thank you for the great recipe, Swathi! I wanted to ask one question. Does this it need to be stored in the fridge or can it sit out at room temperature? And if so, how long can it sit out? Thanks so much!
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
This cake looks very inviting! I love anything with coconut in it.
Alexandra Cook says
Ooh this has me craving some cake now! I really want to try your recipe!
Grace says
Yummy! This recipe reminds me of our local delicacy here in our country and it really taste delicious. Thanks for sharing with this.
Kittyslifeblog says
Omg that looks yumm... I love Sooji and Kopra combination... Would definitely try this recipe 😃👍🏼
Hollie says
This looks amazing! Coconut cake is one of my favorite types of cake. I don't know if I have the skill to make one but it looks amazing.
Ricci says
I love any and all things coconut! I need to try this cake asap!!
rika says
Looks so tasty! I have never had semolina coconut cake, but love coconut flavor.
Beth says
This cake looks really good. I'm not familiar with semolina and will have to look for it.
Ruth I says
This look simple and yummy. I like that it has coconut, a whole new flavor for me. Yum!
Tabitha Blue says
I'm a fan of coconut, and so I definitely want to try this recipe. I always love finding new recipes to test out. Thanks for sharing!
Lynndee says
Ahh, anything with coconut is a total hit in my book. From cakes to pies to any kind of dessert. Thanks for the recipe. Your cake looks yummy!
Candace says
This looks tasty! If it has coconut count me in! I have to try this. Thank you for sharing the good stuff! Enjoy your weekend<3
Gisele says
This sounds and looks really good. I will have to try it.
Dalene Ekirapa says
That combination of coconut and semolina must be everything! I have had coconut in my cakes but never have I had semolina. One more ingredient to buy...looks so yummy!
Mahy Elamin says
I'd love to pick up a few of those cake and pop them in my mouth all at once. 🙂 We also make this cake in Macedonia and it's called "Ravanija".. my dad's all time favorite dessert.
Catalina says
I am drooling over this cake! It looks so good! I should make it this weekend!
Cristina Petrini says
I have a love and hate for the coconut so the more I look for it and eat it the more I'm not sure I like it xD I'm strange I know, but I'll try this cake!
Paradigm says
This is a fantastic cake! Coconut cakes taste delicious and they are actually more simple to make than you might think.
Priyanka says
This is super delicious. I have tried it once and the flavor of coconut gives quite a refreshing taste.
Bindu Thomas says
Looks so delicious and yummy. Coconut is my favorite and I'll definitely give it a try. Thanks for sharing.
Parul says
Hi. Want to try but as a vegetarian what is the substitute for the eggs .please reply
Teresa says
This looks like a delicious coconut cake that I need to make. We are huge fans of fresh coconut and dried coconot pieces in my house. IF I baked a cake with coconut, my kids would go nuts over it.
Danielle Wolter says
this sounds like such a delicious dessert. i love coconut in my desserts 🙂
Brandy says
coconut is my favorite so I will be trying to make this. Looks so yummy! I am going to make it and not share 😉
Tami says
This is one of those desserts I will make late at night while everyone is sleeping. Of course, you know I won't be sharing because I will eat it before they wake. Yum!
Amber Myers says
This looks like my kind of cake! I've always liked coconut. I've never tried semolina before, so I am intrigued.
candy says
I will have to change these measurements for me to use them. Recipe looks good and I think they will like the coconut flavor.
Monica Y says
I love all things coconut. This recipe seems simple to make and delicious. I can't wait to try it
karyn says
This looks so yummy!!!. Have never made a cake with semolina before. Have used it as a milk pudding. Will definitely give it a try
Melissa Chapman says
It seems to have varied origins but that cake looks so great and a dessert for any meal of the day. I will try and find semolina so I can make this one soon