To say that authentic Lebanese sfouf is my favorite sweet of all time would be one of the least exaggerated things I’ve ever said—because it’s true.  I enjoy all kinds of sweets, but this is the one that wraps up comfort and nostalgia for me in every bite. There’s nothing that screams childhood more than sfouf!

This Lebanese yellow sheet cake was always a major part of any family gathering. Some of my favorite memories are tied to those afternoons at my granny’s house, chatting, laughing, and eating with my sisters and cousins.

Granny, or Teta Roro as we used to call her, would place the sfouf bars on her vintage china plate, patterned with Romeo and Juliet, which she reserved for special occasions. It was part of an extensive set that included an assortment of serving dishes and delicate teacups. She would often branch out with other desserts, too, such as rice pudding, meghli, namoura, mouhalabieh, and many other sweets she made so often.

It amazes me how deeply food can become embedded in our happiest memories. I hope this sfouf recipe brings you and your loved ones the same joy with every bite.

Any occasion feels more celebratory with this yellow Lebanese sheet cake, called sfouf. It’s the kind typically brought to gatherings in Lebanon and served with a cup of coffee or tea—flavorful and fragrant enough to enjoy plain.

The Secret to Authentic Lebanese Sfouf (Flour vs. Semolina)

One of my first arguments with my husband, thirty years ago, was about sfouf. “These are not the typical sfouf sold in sweet shops in Lebanon,” he said, pointing disdainfully at the sfouf I had made back then. “They should be a bit dense and have a yellow color, rather than that striking orange interior.”

Even today, there is an ongoing debate in Lebanon about the ideal ratio of flour to semolina when making sfouf. If your goal is a fluffy sfouf, you can use equal amounts of flour and semolina. But, to tell the truth, my husband was right: authentic sfouf should be tender but slightly dense, with a firm, cakey texture, just like the ones we grew up eating in Beirut. You shouldn’t end up with a fluffy cake.

Through trial and error, I came up with two favorite versions that I’ve held on to because both work beautifully. One appears in my cookbook, and the other I’m graciously sharing with you in today’s post!

It’s a one-bowl recipe that comes together quickly, requires just a few ingredients, and takes less than an hour from start to finish. It’s also pretty foolproof: simply mix all the ingredients together, pour the batter into a cake pan, and bake.

I make it often—for fancy dinner parties or afternoon snacking, birthdays or brunches.

Ingredients for Authentic Lebanese Sfouf (Lebanese Turmeric Cake)

• All-purpose flour: Suitable for creating the tender, dense texture of sfouf.

• Farina: A milled cereal grain, usually made from wheat and consisting mainly of the inner part of the wheat kernel, called the endosperm. If you can’t find farina, fine semolina works beautifully as a substitute.

• Turmeric: A terrific addition for both flavor and color—and I don’t need to explain the many health benefits of turmeric!

• Sugar: Use granulated sugar.

• Oil: Any neutral-flavored oil, such as sunflower or canola oil.

• Butter: A knob of butter adds extra richness and flavor.

• Baking powder: The leavening agent that helps the batter expand. As you may have noticed, this is an eggless cake.

• Milk: The liquid ingredient that brings the batter together.

• Pine nuts: Or use your favorite nuts, such as blanched almonds or cashews.

• Powdered milk: This is the secret ingredient that adds an amazing depth of flavor to sfouf. The fat and lactose in powdered milk help tenderize the cake, making it softer and silkier while still maintaining its characteristic dense texture. It also helps the crust develop deeper caramelization.

• Tahini: Used to grease the cake pan before adding the sfouf batter.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sfouf

What is the purpose of greasing the cake pan with tahini?

Brushing your pan thoroughly with a thin layer of tahini completely prevents the cake from sticking while baking. Beyond its non-stick functionality, it infuses the bottom crust of the sfouf with a subtle, authentic nutty flavor that pairs exquisitely with turmeric. If tahini is unavailable, a light coating of butter can be used instead.

What is farina, and can I substitute it in sfouf?

Farina is a milled wheat product made primarily from the starchy inner portion of the wheat kernel, known as the endosperm. It is generally finer than traditional semolina. If you cannot find farina, fine semolina makes a good substitute in this recipe. Both contribute to the characteristic texture of Lebanese sfouf, although the final crumb may vary slightly depending on the grind.

Why did my sfouf turn out dry or tough?

A tough or dry texture is almost always caused by overmixing the cake batter or a low fat content. Overworking the batter activates excess gluten in the wheat flour and semolina, resulting in a chewy, heavy texture. For the most tender crumb, gently fold the wet and dry ingredients together just until the flour streaks disappear. Additionally, because sfouf is an eggless cake, it relies heavily on the full amount of oil and butter to coat the grains and lock in moisture. Cutting back on the fat content will immediately make the cake dry and crumbly.

What type of baking pan works best for Lebanese turmeric cake?

Using a heavy-duty aluminum baking sheet is highly recommended. Aluminum conducts heat much more efficiently and evenly than glass or ceramic bakeware, which actively helps prevent an undercooked, dense center or a burnt bottom crust.

What options do I have for dressing the sfouf before baking?

Before baking, you can randomly dress the sfouf with pine nuts, shaved almonds, cashews, or even walnuts to add character and a delightful crunch to the cake. If nuts are not your favorite or you have an allergy, sprinkling sesame seeds over the top is another excellent traditional option—or you can simply leave the surface plain and let the vibrant yellow cake shine on its own!

Why does my sfouf look orange instead of yellow?

The color of sfouf largely depends on the turmeric you use and its natural pigment content. Turmeric contains curcumin, a pigment that gives it its characteristic golden-yellow color but can shift toward orange or reddish-brown under alkaline conditions. For the best results, use fresh, good-quality turmeric and measure it accurately. I recommend using one level tablespoon, as specified in this recipe. Avoid adding extra turmeric, as it can make the cake overly earthy and slightly bitter.

How can I make sfouf vegan for Lent?

Because sfouf is naturally an eggless cake, it is incredibly easy to veganize. To adapt it for Lent or a plant-based diet, simply eliminate the butter and replace it with an equal amount of additional neutral cooking oil (like canola or sunflower oil). For the dairy milk and milk powder, you can substitute them with an equal volume of your favorite plant-based milk; testing it with unsweetened almond milk delivers a beautiful, highly satisfying result!

How should I store leftover sfouf?

Once completely cooled, store sfouf in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate it for up to 4 days to maintain freshness, especially in warm or humid conditions. You can also freeze individual portions, tightly wrapped, for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. Keep in mind that freezing may slightly affect the cake’s texture.

More Lebanese Dessert Bars and Cakes to Try

If you love traditional Lebanese sweets baked in a tray and cut into individual portions, here are a few more delicious recipes to try. From syrup-soaked semolina cake to date-filled and cream-filled bars, these Lebanese favorites are perfect for sharing!

• Lebanese Namoura (Authentic Semolina Cake)

• Maamoul Mad Bil Tamer (Lebanese Date Bars)

• Maamoul Mad Bil Ashta (Lebanese Cream-Filled Bars)

Sfouf Muffins: Discover the terrific hybrid sfouf muffin, bringing together two worlds: the classic muffin and the traditional Lebanese turmeric cake known as sfouf.

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Sfouf, Lebanese Turmeric Cake

5 from 3 votes

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 23 minutes minutes

Total Time 33 minutes minutes

Servings 12 servings

Course

Dessert

Cuisine

Lebanese

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Description

A beloved Lebanese classic, sfouf is a simple, one-bowl cake with a distinctive golden hue and a satisfyingly tender, slightly dense crumb. Enriched with powdered milk for extra depth and finished with crunchy pine nuts, this eggless treat is wonderfully easy to prepare and a cherished part of Lebanese gatherings.

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ ⅓ cup farina or fine semolina
• ▢ 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ▢ 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• ▢ ¾ cup oil
• ▢ 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon butter (omit for a vegan option and add a little extra neutral oil instead).
• ▢ 1 level tablespoon turmeric powder
• ▢ 1 ¼ cups milk or almond milk use almond milk for a vegan option
• ▢ 2 tablespoons full-cream powdered milk (optional but highly recommended for extra richness)
• ▢ 4 tablespoons tahini for greasing the baking sheet
• ▢ ⅓ cup pine nuts or your favorite nuts

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

  Place a rack in the center of the oven.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, farina, turmeric powder,

  milk powder (if using), and baking powder.
• In a separate bowl, dissolve the sugar in the milk.

  Add the oil and melted butter, and stir to combine.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring well until you have a smooth, evenly colored yellow batter.
• Grease a 12-inch (30 cm) round baking pan generously with tahini.
• Pour the sfouf batter into the prepared pan.

  Use an offset spatula to spread the batter into an even layer.
• Scatter the pine nuts evenly over the surface of the batter.
• Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown.

  Keep a close eye on the sfouf toward the end of the baking time, as ovens vary.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

  Cut into medium-sized squares or diamond shapes and serve.
  

Video

Notes

Sfouf Muffins: Discover the terrific hybrid sfouf muffin, bringing together two worlds: the classic muffin and the traditional Lebanese turmeric cake known as sfouf.

Keyword eggless cake, Lebanese turmeric cake, sfouf

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