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Hilbeh – Fenugreek Cake

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5 from 1 review

A soft semolina and fenugreek cake soaked in simple syrup. The best cake to make.

Ingredients

Units Scale

3 cups semolina

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cups olive oil

3/4 cups vegetable oil

1/3 cup fenugreek seeds

2 tbsp yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1 tsp sugar

2 cups water

*2 – 2 1/2 cups Simple Syrup

Instructions

Place the fenugreek seeds in a small saucepan. Cover with 2 cups of water and cook until tender. They are bitter, so beware when you tase for doneness. Set aside to cool slightly.

Preheat the oven to 500 F. Mix the yeast and sugar into the warm water. Set aside to bloom.

Mix the semolina and flour together. Add the two oils and mix until evenly distributed. Strain the fenugreek and add to the semolina mixture. Set the water from the fenugreek aside, because you’ll need it later.

Add the yeast mixture and knead the dough together. You want a soft pliable dough. Add from the fenugreek water as needed to achieve a play dough texture dough. You want it to be soft enough to spread but still hold together.

Get your half sheet pan ready. Spread the dough onto the ungreased sheet pan. Evenly press the dough into the pan so you fill the entire pan and it’s an even thickness all around. Score and cut your Hilbeh into 7 long strips. Next make diagonal lines to get nice little diamond shaped pieces.  Set aside the pan for 15-30 minutes to allow the Hilbeh to rise.

Once your Hilbeh rises, bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the Hilbeh is golden brown. Once it’s golden brown remove from the oven. Immediately pour the room temperature simple syrup on it. Lift the pan and tilt to evenly distribute it. Enjoy!

Notes

*Use the Simple Syrup recipe from my Warbat post!