Orange, semolina and coconut syrup cakes

Name: Orange, semolina and coconut syrup cakes
Cook time: 1 h
Yield: 12 muffin-sized cakes
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 150g semolina; 70g self-raising flour; 50g castor sugar; 50g desiccated coconut, plus extra; 30g for garnish; 1 tsp baking powder; pinch of salt; 3 eggs; 180ml freshly squeezed orange juice; 120ml sunflower or canola oil; 120g marmalade, plus extra 45g for glazing; 1 orange, zested

Helen Goh

June 1, 2018

Orange coconut and semolina cakes with orange blossom syrup and marmalade glaze.William Meppem

Time:30 mins - 1 hourMakes:12 muffin-sized cakes

Joining Ottolenghi opened up the world of Middle Eastern cakes to me, this recipe in particular convincing me that syrup cakes could be really special. Use a good-quality orange blossom water and stick to the amount specified – you want to taste its distinctive floral note without being reminded of your great-aunt's perfume.

Ingredients

150g semolina
70g self-raising flour
50g castor sugar
50g desiccated coconut, plus extra
30g for garnish
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
3 eggs
180ml freshly squeezed orange juice
120ml sunflower or canola oil
120g marmalade, plus extra 45g for glazing
1 orange, zested

For the syrup

150g castor sugar
100ml water
1 tbsp orange blossom water (I like the Cortas brand)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 190C (170C fan-forced). Grease and flour a 12-hole muffin tin.
2. Place semolina, flour, sugar, coconut, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Whisk lightly to combine.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, orange juice, oil, marmalade and zest together, then pour into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Spoon the mixture into the 12 muffin holes so they are just over three-quarters up the sides. Place into preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.
4. While cakes are in the oven, make the syrup by combining the ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute. Turn heat off and set aside.
5. When the cakes are cooked, remove from oven and spoon the warm syrup over the top while still in their moulds. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then use a small spatula to ease them out of the moulds and onto a serving plate.
6. Heat the extra marmalade in a small saucepan with a tablespoon of water until warm and runny, then use a pastry brush to brush the tops of the cakes lightly. Cover half the tops of the cakes with a small piece of baking paper, then sprinkle the exposed half liberally with the extra desiccated coconut.