We all love desserts, and they are an integral part of our meals. Be it cakes, puddings, cookies or any other sweet treat, they are always close to our heart. When it comes to ingredients, semolina is one of the most popular items. Easy to cook, they are super versatile and can be transformed in a variety of dishes. Since it is the holiday season, we usually go for baked dishes. From cakes to bread, here are five baked semolina dishes you can try for your festive meals.
Semolina Cake
This is a quick and delicious semolina cake recipe that you can bake at any time of the day. Apart from desserts, this cake can also be enjoyed as a snack. You can also add your favorite chopped nuts and dry fruits for an extra crunch and flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup semolina flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ cups butter
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 10 eggs, separated
- ½ cup orange juice
- 2 tbsp grated orange zest
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp brandy
- ⅔ cup almonds, coarsely chopped
- ½ cup sliced almonds
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan. Sift together the flour, semolina flour, and baking powder. Keep it aside.
- Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition, until combined. Stir in the orange juice, orange zest, vanilla extract and brandy.
- Beat the egg whites in a clean, dry bowl until incorporated. Fold 1/3 of the beaten egg whites into the butter-sugar-egg yolk mixture until combined. Gently stir in 1/3 of the flour mixture. Continue adding the remaining egg whites alternately with the flour, folding in until just incorporated.
- Stir in the chopped nuts. Pour batter into the prepared baking pan and sprinkle with sliced almonds.
- Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake for about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with a tablespoon of brandy. Allow it to cool completely and enjoy.
Semolina Bread
This is a hearty Italian style bread that goes well for every meal. It has a nice crunchy crust with a light and chewy pale-yellow crumb. You can also top it with sesame seeds for added texture and earthy flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 cup + 1 tbsp lukewarm water
- ½ tsp honey
- 1¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 2 cups semolina flour
- ¾ tbsp olive oil
- ¾ tsp salt
Method
- In a mixing bowl add 1/4 cup water and honey, mix then sprinkle the yeast on top, let sit for 5-10 minutes, stir to combine.
- In the mixer add the flour, yeast mixture, remaining water and oil, start to knead then add the salt on speed 2 for 6-7 minutes. Move the dough to a lightly floured flat surface and stretch and fold a few times then place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, turn the dough then cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm draft free area for 2 hours.
- Move the dough to a flat surface and again stretch and fold a few times, form into desired shape then place either on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet or lightly greased loaf pan (9 inch/23cm), cover and let rise in a warm draft free area for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 400F (200C), place an empty pan in the bottom of the oven while the oven is preheating.
- Score the loaf then brush with a little water, and sprinkle with seeds. Pour 1-2 cups of boiling water into the pan in the oven, then place the bread in the oven on the middle rack.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes. Once done, move it immediately to a wire rack to cool completely before cutting and serving. Enjoy!
Semolina Cookies
These cookies have a delicate crumb and gentle crispiness. Made with very few ingredients like semolina, butter and cardamom seeds, you can also garnish it with chopped almonds and your other favorite nuts.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup semolina
- 1/2 cup almond meal
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp crushed cardamom seeds
- 1 egg beaten
- Halved whole almonds to garnish
Method
- Grease a cookie sheet. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Beat the butter and sugar until pale and creamy. Mix in the semolina and almond meal and the baking powder.
- Stir in the beaten egg. Shape into small balls and place about 2 inches apart. Top with a halved almond.
- The cookies spread quite a bit. Place in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Let it cool and serve.
Semolina Pudding
Semolina pudding or porridge is a simple and nutritious breakfast that can be served either hot or cold. Prepared within ten minutes, it is made with very few ingredients like milk, sugar and semolina along with a hint of ground cinnamon.
Ingredients
- 600 ml milk
- 10-12 tsp semolina
- 1 tbsp vanilla sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Method
- Pour the milk into a pan and bring it to boil over a medium heat together with the sugar and half of the cinnamon.
- Add the semolina whisking continuously for about 2 minutes until the pudding thickens slightly.
- Remove from the heat and transfer to a bowl. Top it with the remaining cinnamon, jam, fresh fruit or nuts. Enjoy.
Semolina Muffins
Muffins are a perfect option for breakfast, snack or untimely hunger pangs. It is prepared along with the flavoring of orange or almond flour. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days. Here is a short muffin cake recipe for you to try.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- zest of 1 orange
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 2/3 cup semolina flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line the muffin tin with 8 liners or grease with cooking spray. In a bowl of a hand mixer, whisk together your oil, sugar, eggs, yogurt and orange zest for 2 minutes.
- Add in your flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt and vanilla. Pour your batter in the prepared muffin tin and bake for 20-25 minutes. Let it cool for 5 minutes in the tin and then place on the cooling rack.