Love Cake

love cake
This Sri Lankan love cake inspired by Portuguese colonial influence is made without flour or any baking agents. This semolina based flavourful cake is filled with spices and cashews, perfect to serve as dessert or tea time snack. 
love cake
3/4 cup unsalted butter 
1 and 1/2 cups coarse semolina
6 eggs, egg yolks and whites separated
1 1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp rose water
3/4 tsp almond extract if you have
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp freshly ground cardamom
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp lemon zest from one lemon
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup finely chopped raw cashews

Line a 9" square pan with parchment paper with a 2" overhang and butter it. 

In a largest skillet, over medium heat melt the butter and add the semolina and cook stirring until it is lightly toasted for about 2 to 3 minutes. Let this mixture cool to room temperature on a large plate. 

Beat the egg yolks with the sugar until the mixture is pale and thick. Beat in the honey, rose water, almond extract, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, lemon zest, and salt. Beat in the cooled semolina mixture and fold in the cashews.

In a bowl with clean beaters, whip the egg whites until medium stiff but not dry peaks. Stir in quarter of the egg whites into the semolina mixture, then fold in the remaining egg whites into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake at 300F until the top is golden brown. It will take about 45 to 50 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the center and if it comes out with moist crumbs attached, let the cake cool in the pan. Transfer the cake to a cutting board when it cools and cut into diamonds. Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.   

Recipe adapted from the sugar and spice cookbook. All rights reserved on photographs and written content Torviewtoronto © 2010 - 2020 unless mentioned. Please Ask First

52 comments:

  1. I love its dense fudgy like texture and gorgeous golden colour. Gotta try this soon!

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  2. Wow this looks so good and the recipe seems real easy

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  3. This is so much different than any cake I've ever tried. It looks amazing!

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  4. This sounds so much richer and denser than your average cake. Must be delish!

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  5. This cake looks delicious

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  6. This cake looks delicious I haven't baked with Semolina yet

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  7. We love making bars and squares, this looks very good!

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  8. It looks delicious! I would like to try this recipe and I love that the recipe adds cashews.

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  9. Wow this looks really delicious!

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  10. I bet the combination of ingredients are great

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  11. I would love to make this It would go great with my afternoon tea

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  12. Think the kids would enjoy making this but it definitely won't last the three days in my house!

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  13. This cake would be a wonderful treat to enjoy with my afternoon coffee.

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  14. This look really delicious my husband would love it and looks easy enough to make.

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  15. Thanks for posting this recipe!

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  16. This cake looks really moist

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  17. Looks so good will have to try it out.

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  18. Would make a great afternoon snack

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  19. I have never used Semolina in baking! Would be a great cake to try, love pecans!

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  20. I'm not sure if I'd like the cashews because I'd probably prefer almonds

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  21. This cake looks delicious The almond extract would add a nice flavor

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  22. What a scrumptious and filling treat

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  23. I love cake and dessert and right now everyone should celebrate with cake

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  24. I love cashews in baking This looks delicious

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  25. What a lovely name for a cake! We always say our treats are best as they are made with love.

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  26. Such a tasty way to use cashews

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  27. Thanks for passing on this recipe

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  28. Never tried baking with semolina flour, will be sure to try this out

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  29. I "love" the name of this cake

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  30. Cake with my coffee is one of my favourite afternoon treats. Sounds perfect.

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  31. Ooooh this sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing the recipe

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  32. I've never been great at baking but i'd give this a chance

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  33. This sounds like a very tasty dessert! I love a piece of cake with my afternoon coffee :)

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  34. This would be perfect with my afternoon tea

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  35. This cake is unique and different from any cake I have tried. It looks yummy and I'm sure I will enjoy it.

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  36. I love spices like cardamom and cinnamon in cake. The rose water and almond extract also go very well together

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  37. I'm wondering if kids would love this cake as much as adults

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  38. This sounds so different but good at the same time! I would love to try it!

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  39. This sounds so good, I wish someone would make it for me to try.

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  40. I would love to have a piece of this cake with my afternoon tea

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  41. This would be a great recipe to add to my Holiday baking list.

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Thank you for commenting :)