Syrian Turmeric Spice with Honey Lemon Glaze

Inspired by Sfouf, the Middle Eastern cake for special occasions, this coffee cake brings warmth and color to your holiday table. Forget the crumb—this cake gets its irresistible crunch from a caramelized brown sugar and pine nut topping! Serve with whipped cream and coffee for the ultimate cozy finish.

 

 

The Cake 🎥

YOU WILL NEED

ALMOND CAKE MIX

WET INGREDIENTS

3 large eggs (about 189g, weighed with shell)
1 cup mild extra-virgin olive oil (200g)
1 cup plain Greek yogurt (8oz, 227g)
2 tablespoons juice and zest from one lemon
¾ teaspoon turmeric
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon

TOPPING

2 tablespoons light brown sugar
⅓ cup pine nuts (53g)


INSTRUCTIONS
  • Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9x3-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  • Beat eggs at high speed for 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy. With the mixer still running, gradually add the olive oil in a thin drizzle and beat until thick and creamy.
  • Add the yogurt, spices, lemon juice and zest and mix on low speed until just combined.
  • Add the almond cake mix and mix on low until well combined.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan, and evenly sprinkle with brown sugar and pine nuts.
  • Bake for 50-55 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Cool in baking pan for 5-10 minutes before unmolding.

 


The Glaze 

YOU WILL NEED

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon mild honey
½ tablespoon lemon juice

 

INSTRUCTIONS
  • Microwave honey, lemon juice and butter on high for 60-90 seconds, or until it develops a syrup-like consistency.
  • Lightly brush glaze on sides of hot cake.

 

Customize your cake mix product box with this 4" x 6" recipe label!

 

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Tips & Methods

Baking Tips

General Baking Tips

  • Preheat your oven to 325ºF.
  • Prepare the pan: Grease the recommended pan and line it with parchment paper. If using a Bundt pan, apply a baking spray that contains flour.
  • For best results: Weigh all ingredients and bring them to room temperature.
  • Avoid opening the oven door until the cake has set, unless the recipe instructs otherwise.
  • Check for doneness: Your cake is done when it begins to shrink from the sides of the pan, springs back when touched or when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  • Cooling: Let the cake cool for 5–10 minutes before removing it from the pan.

Alternative Baking Options (for all cake recipes except for vegan recipes)

Cupcakes:

  • Bake at 325ºF for 18–21 minutes in a cupcake pan with liners.
  • Fill each cavity about two-thirds full.
  • Yields about 24 cupcakes.

Mini Bundt Cakes:

  • Bake at 325ºF for 18–21 minutes in a mini Bundt pan.
  • Fill each cavity about two-thirds full.
  • Yields about 24 mini Bundt cakes.

Bite-Sized Mini Muffins:

  • Bake at 325ºF for 13–16 minutes in a mini muffin pan with liners (1.25 inch diameter).
  • Fill each cavity about two-thirds full.
  • Yields about 72 mini muffins.

Storage Guidelines

  • Frosted cakes or cakes with pastry cream: Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
  • Plain or glazed cakes (without frosting or pastry cream):
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • For extended storage, double-wrap cooled cake in cling film and aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
  • Freezing plain cakes: Double-wrap in cling film and aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Defrosting frozen cakes: Keep the wrapped cake in the refrigerator for 24 hours before serving.

Olive Oil Cake Method

  • Pre-heat your oven to 325ºF.
  • Grease the recommended cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
    If using a Bundt pan, apply a baking spray made with flour.
  • In a separate bowl, beat room temperature eggs at high speed for 3-5 minutes, then add mild extra virgin olive oil in a slow, steady drizzle until thick and creamy.
  • Add remaining wet ingredients and the cake mix to the egg mixture and mix until combined, stopping to scrape down the bowl. Do not overmix.
  • Gently mix stir ins into batter until well combined.
  • Scrape batter into prepared pan(s) and sprinkle with toppings.
  • Bake immediately following the guidelines in the recipe. Cool in baking pan for 5-10 minutes before unmolding.
  • Cool cake completely before frosting.

Butter Cake Method

You can substitute butter for olive oil in our recipes at a 1:1 ratio—no complicated conversions needed!

  • Preheat your oven to 325ºF. Grease the recommended cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  • Whisk wet ingredients (eggs, milk, dairy products, etc.) together on medium speed until well blended.
  • In a separate bowl, beat softened butter, cake mix, and dry ingredients on low speed until combined and sandy in texture (about 30 seconds).
  • With the mixer still on, slowly add wet ingredients, scraping the bowl down from time to time. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for two minutes. Do not overmix.
  • Fold in stir-ins (nuts, berries, chopped fruit, chocolate chips, etc.) until just blended.
  • Scrape batter into prepared pan(s) and evenly sprinkle with toppings (e.g., sliced almonds).
  • Bake immediately following the guidelines in the recipe.
  • Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before unmolding.
  • Cool completely before frosting.