Looking for a new cake recipe or a breakfast sweet? Try this unique Armenian semolina cake with coconut flakes and orange blossom water syrup. It is a simple cake that is known by many other names including Namoura (Lebanese) and Basbousa (Egyptian). 

Each piece of cake is topped with an almond and makes a pretty presentation. 

What Ingredients Do I Need to Make Shamali?

• sugar
• lemon juice
• orange blossom water
• baking soda
• greek yogurt
• Bob's Red Mill Semolina Flour (or other fine semolina flour)
• unsweetened coconut flakes
• butter
• salt
• blanched almonds
• tahini (to grease the casserole dish)

How Do I Make Shamali?

First, start off by greasing a 9 x 13 casserole dish with tahini. If you don't have tahini, you can substitute butter or oil.

Next, make the syrup: 

Combine sugar and water in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Reduce heat and simmer on low for an additional 6-8 minutes, until the syrup is slightly thickened. Stir in lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of orange blossom water. Set syrup aside to cool.

For the cake, mix together semolina flour, 2 teaspoons orange blossom water, melted butter, sugar and salt. Add baking soda and yogurt, followed by the coconut flakes. Stir together until everything is combined well, but don't overmix.Note: You could use your own homemade greek yogurt or store-bought greek yogurt. Regular plain yogurt could also be substituted.  Select a yogurt that is 2% milk fat or greater. The combination of acidic yogurt and baking soda will react together and leaven the cake.

Spread batter evenly in casserole dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Score the batter into diagonal pieces. Place a blanched almond in each diamond.

Bake at 375 degree Fahrenheit for 25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Pour the cooled syrup over the top of the hot cake. Then let the entire cake cool before re-cutting. (Shhh....I found that the piece of cake that I snuck while it was still warm was equally delicious.)

📖 Recipe

Shamali

This Armenian Semolina Cake is flavored with coconut flakes and orange blossom water (just a tad) to give it a wonderful flavor.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Armenian

Servings 24

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 cup sugar
• ¾ cup water
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons orange blossom water
• Cake:
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup greek yogurt
• 3 cups Bob's Red Mill Semolina Flour or other fine semolina flour
• 1 ½ sticks melted butter ¾ cup
• 2 teaspoons orange blossom water
• ¾ cup sugar
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• ¼ cup blanched almonds
• 2 tablespoons of tahini to grease the casserole dish

Instructions

 

• Grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish with tahini.
• Make the Syrup:
• Combine sugar and water in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Reduce heat and simmer on low for an additional 6-8 minutes, until the syrup is slightly thickened.
• Stir in lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of orange blossom water. Set syrup aside to cool.
• Make the cake:
• Mix together semolina flour, 2 teaspoons orange blossom water, melted butter, sugar and salt. Add baking soda and yogurt, followed by the coconut flakes. Stir together until everything is combined well, but don't overmix.
• Spread batter evenly in casserole dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Then score the batter into diagonal pieces. Place a blanched almond in each diamond.
• Bake at 375 degree Fahrenheit for 25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Pour the cooled syrup over the top of the hot cake. Then let the entire cake cool before re-cutting.

Notes

Makes a great dessert, but would also be perfect served in the morning with a cup of orange spice tea!

Keyword Dessert

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!