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Persian Love Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 70 reviews

Persian Love Cake is a fragrant, moist, and beautifully textured dessert infused with floral rose water, warm cardamom, and saffron notes. Made with almond flour, semolina, and flavored with orange blossom syrup, this cake offers an exotic Middle Eastern-inspired treat perfect for special occasions or anytime you desire a unique cake with a delicate aroma and nutty crunch.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Batter

  • 6 tbsp ghee (or butter, melted)
  • 6 tbsp olive oil (light)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1 cup yogurt (thick, Greek style, reduced fat)
  • 2 tbsp rose water
  • 2 tsp ground green cardamom
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup semolina flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 3 tbsp sliced almonds

Honey Syrup

  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • 2 tbsp rose water
  • 1/2 tsp ground saffron
  • 2 tbsp slivered pistachios

Optional Garnish

  • Fresh or dried edible rose petals
  • Additional slivered nuts
  • Rose water cream (optional, see blog post)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cake.
  2. Creaming the Fats and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, combine the ghee (or melted butter) and olive oil. Add the sugar and whisk together until the mixture becomes creamy and well blended.
  3. Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition to incorporate them completely into the mixture.
  4. Incorporate Yogurt: Add the thick Greek-style yogurt into the bowl and whisk everything until the batter is fluffy and smooth.
  5. Add Flavorings: Stir in the rose water and ground green cardamom to infuse the batter with aromatic flavors.
  6. Add Dry Ingredients: Sift together the almond flour, all-purpose flour, and semolina flour. Gradually fold these sifted flours into the wet batter, whisking lightly to combine evenly without overmixing.
  7. Leavening and Salt: Sprinkle baking powder and a pinch of salt over the batter and mix well to distribute evenly.
  8. Prepare Cake Pan: Grease a 10-inch springform cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Pour the cake batter into the pan.
  9. Add Almond Topping: Gently tap the pan on the counter to level the batter, then scatter the sliced almonds evenly over the top.
  10. Bake Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the cake is golden on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  11. Make Honey Syrup: While the cake bakes, combine honey and orange juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.
  12. Add Saffron and Rose Water: Stir the rose water and ground saffron into the syrup, then remove from heat and add the slivered pistachios. Set aside.
  13. Poke Cake Holes: Once the cake is warm but not hot, use a thin wooden skewer or the tip of a sharp knife to poke small holes all over the surface to allow the syrup to penetrate.
  14. Pour Syrup Over Cake: Slowly pour the warm honey syrup evenly over the cake, letting it soak in thoroughly. For best results, allow the cake to absorb the syrup for several hours or overnight.
  15. Garnish and Serve: Decorate the top with fresh or dried edible rose petals and extra slivered nuts for presentation. Serve as is or with rose water cream if desired.

Notes

  • The use of ghee adds a rich, buttery flavor, but melted butter can be substituted if preferred.
  • Greek-style yogurt contributes to the moistness and texture of the cake; reduced-fat is fine but full-fat gives a richer taste.
  • Ensure your saffron is ground finely to evenly disperse its flavor and color.
  • Allowing the syrup to soak overnight enhances the cake’s flavor and moistness.
  • For a nut-free version, omit the almonds and pistachios and garnish with edible rose petals alone.
  • Rose water cream is optional but pairs beautifully for an authentic Persian flavor experience.

Keywords: Persian love cake, rose water cake, cardamom cake, saffron cake, honey syrup cake, almond flour cake, Middle Eastern dessert

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/persian-love-cake-recipe/