Rosewater Semolina Cake (Indian) — Indian rosewater semolina sponge
The Indian rosewater semolina cake is a close cousin of the Persian and Middle Eastern semolina cakes — a moist semolina sponge perfumed with rose water and cardamom, often soaked in syrup and finished with pistachios. The Indian version may include yoghurt and a touch of saffron.
i. Origin & history
The recipe sits at the meeting point of Mughal Persian inheritance and modern Indian baking — semolina and rose were both well established by the seventeenth century; the cake format itself is twentieth-century.
ii. Ingredients
Makes 20 servings · scroll the side panel to adjust
- 300 g semolina
- 100 g ground almonds
- 200 g sugar
- 200 ml melted ghee or butter
- 4 eggs
- 2 tbsp rose water
- 1 tsp cardamom
- Pinch saffron, steeped
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 200 ml yoghurt
- 200 g sugar
- 200 ml water
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp rose water
- Pistachios and rose petals
iii. Method
- Whisk eggs, sugar, ghee, rose water, cardamom and saffron.
- Fold in semolina, almonds, baking powder. Stir in yoghurt.
- Bake at 180 °C in a 23 × 33 cm pan for 30 min until golden.
- Make syrup; cool. Pour cold syrup over hot cake.
- Cool; cut into diamonds; garnish.
iv. Tips & common mistakes
- Use the freshest ingredients you can. The recipe relies on them.
- Read the method through first. Several steps must be ready in advance.
- Season patiently. Sweetness and salt are tuned at the end, not the start.
v. Variations
Compare basbousa, revani and the Persian rosewater semolina for the regional variations.
vi. Common questions
What is rosewater semolina cake (indian)?
Rosewater Semolina Cake (Indian) is indian rosewater semolina sponge, from indian & south asian cuisine. The Indian version may include yoghurt and a touch of saffron
Where is rosewater semolina cake (indian) from?
Rosewater Semolina Cake (Indian) is from the indian & south asian dessert tradition; the recipe and history are detailed above.
How long does rosewater semolina cake (indian) keep?
See the storage note in the Quick facts panel: 5 days at room temperature.