Date-Studded Semolina Cake with Cardamom Syrup

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-23 · Updated 2026-06-23

A fragrant semolina cake studded with sweet dates and soaked in a spiced cardamom syrup, offering a moist, aromatic Middle Eastern dessert. This Middle Eastern-inspired recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, layers fine semolina flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups fine semolina flour
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup pitted dates, chopped
• 1.5 cups water (for syrup)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (for syrup)
• 6 green cardamom pods, crushed
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

The bakeware we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware Sets in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 1.5 cups fine semolina flour, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, and 2 tsp baking powder.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, beat 2 large eggs with 1 cup granulated sugar until pale and fluffy. Stir in 3/4 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 cup whole milk, and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
4. Step 4: Gradually fold the wet ingredients into the dry semolina mixture until just combined. Gently fold in 3/4 cup chopped pitted dates.
5. Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Step 6: While baking, prepare the cardamom syrup by combining 1.5 cups water, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 6 crushed green cardamom pods in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice.
7. Step 7: When the cake is done, remove from oven and immediately pour the hot cardamom syrup evenly over the cake. Allow to cool completely in the pan so the syrup absorbs fully.
8. Step 8: Slice and serve the moist date-studded semolina cake as a fragrant dessert or with tea.