VEGAN SFOUF DESSERT

I’ve tested this sfouf recipe several times. After each attempt, I’ve coincidently had a guest over who exclaimed how much they enjoyed sfouf when they were younger.

Sfouf is a nostalgic Lebanese dessert that inadvertently catapulted into relevance lately by being vegan (no animal products), including turmeric (a super food spice) and sesame paste (healthy depth of flavor).

The preparation of sfouf is similar to brownies as the batter is combined, poured into a baking trey and sliced into squares once baked. For texture, sfouf is a moist rich, cake.

The only equipment you’ll need is a bowl and a baking trey, meaning we’re all equipped to bake this recipe.

I can stare at the color of Turmeric endlessly; it’s almost hypnotic, a powdered version of a deep summer sunset, rich, gold and orange. Its aroma, similar to ginger, has a sharp, bitter characteristic. Combining the sharp flavor profile with sugar results in essence of what sfouf tastes like.

The ideal time to have sfouf would be an afternoon snack paired with coffee or tea.

(VIDEO DOWN BELOW)

SUGAR

SESAME

ANISE

TURMERIC

SESAME PASTE

COOKING OIL

The original recipe calls for 2.5 cups of sugar but I reduced it to 1.5 cups according to my taste. You can vary the intensity of sweetness based on your liking.
I tried the recipe with olive oil and cooking oil. The olive oil resulted in a dense cake, while the cooking oil left the cake more fully, so I would still recommend cooking oil.
Anise seeds are different from anise powder. Anise powder has a more intense flavor, so do you best to source the powered.

BATTER

BAKED

PRINT

DETAILS

A vegan dessert recipe with a prep time of 15 minutes and a cooking time of 40 minutes. This recipe makes 16 stout squares.

INGREDIENTS

4 cups of flour
1 and ½ cup sugar
1 and 1/4thcup water
3 teaspoons of turmeric
2 teaspoons of baking powder
2 teaspoons of anise powder
1 cup of cooking oil
2 teaspoons of sesame paste
Sesame seeds

METHOD

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
Combine the sugar and water in a small pot and lightly heat while continuously stirring for 3 minutes. This step incorporates the sugar into the water.
In a large bowl, sift the flour, turmeric, baking powder and anise powder.
Add the water/sugar liquid, sesame paste and cooking oil and combine.
Line your baking trey with parchment paper and sprinkle with some flour.
Pour the batter onto the baking trey and spread evenly.
Place the baking trey in the oven and bake for 40 minutes.
Once baked, cool for 10 minutes.
Cut the baked cake into squares in the baking trey and serve.

ASSEMBLY VIDEO

Photography, Recipe, Food Styling, Prop Styling by: TALA SOUBRA

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