Categories Cakes & Sweet Pastries Recipe book

Classic French Semolina Cake with Raisins

This sweet semolina cake with raisins is a timeless classic in French home baking. It has a delicate texture, a gentle sweetness, and a comforting vanilla aroma. The raisins add a chewy charm, while the beautiful golden crust makes it a lovely centerpiece for any table. It’s perfect for dessert, an afternoon snack, or even a special breakfast.

Ingredients (Serves 8):

  • 1 sheet of shortcrust pastry (store-bought or homemade)
  • 3 cups (750 ml) milk
  • ½ cup (110 g) fine semolina
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 sachets vanilla sugar (or 2 tsp vanilla extract)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 tbsp rum (optional)
  • 3 tbsp (35 g) butter
  • ½ cup (70 g) golden raisins

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Raisins: The night before, soak the raisins in 2 tablespoons of rum. If you’re making this for children, use warm water or tea instead.
  2. Make the Semolina Base: In a saucepan, bring the milk, granulated sugar, and vanilla sugar almost to a boil. Slowly pour in the semolina in a thin stream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook, stirring, until the mixture thickens.
  3. Enhance the Flavor: Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the butter until it’s fully melted and combined. Add the drained raisins to the mixture.
  4. Add the Eggs: Separate the egg whites from the yolks. Whisk the yolks into the warm semolina mixture one by one. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the semolina batter.
  5. Prepare for Baking: Line a pie or tart pan with the shortcrust pastry and prick the bottom with a fork. Pour the semolina mixture into the prepared pan.
  6. Bake: Bake the cake at 400°F (200°C) for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
  7. Serve: Let the cake cool slightly before serving. It’s delicious both warm and chilled. You can dust it with powdered sugar before serving for a beautiful finish.

Tips:

  • For an even more interesting flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon or some grated lemon zest to the semolina mixture.
  • This cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea.
Tags

You like it!