Persian Love Cake Recipe

This recipe has existed for decades.

The legend has it that the cake was baked by a love-struck woman to win the heart of a Persian Prince.

And so, she put down various spells, and the moment the Prince took a bite of the cake, he was head over heels for the woman.

Perhaps it’s true that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach!

So you see? When I called this cake a love potion, I legit meant it.

However, I’m not so sure it’ll do the same now, but you can certainly bake it for someone you care about.

To me nothing is more romantic than a home cooked meal or treat!

Ingredients you’ll need

To make this stunning cake you will need some standard baking ingredients like flour, sugar (granulated and confectioners), eggs, butter, and baking leavening agents.

In addition, there are a couple of ingredient that you may not normally have in your pantry, but common ingredients in Persian bakeries:

• Flours – almond (not almond meal), and semolina.

What is semolina flour?

Semolina flour is made of durum wheat. Durum is a common flour cultivated in the middle east. You can find it in most grocery stores near the all-purpose flour in the baking isle.

This will give the cake a little texture as durum is courser than all-purpose flour with a hint of yellow natural coloring.

• Rose Water – this unique flavor is one of the star ingredients in this cake. You need this. I make my own rose water, but it can be found in grocery stores in the international section, online or in health food stores.
• Cardamon spice – cardamom is also a key ingredient. Cardamom is a spice that is widely found in the Indian subcontinent and Indonesia and found in most grocery stores spice isle.
• Fresh Citrus, lime or lemon – we use the zest in the cake and the juice in the syrup that glazes the warm cake.
• Honey – this is added to the syrup with the lime/lemon juice with water.
• Pistachios – chopped. Adds nice texture and flavor, plus the color it so pretty on this cake.
• Dried rose petals – these are used just on top of the cake for a simple decoration. These can be purchased online. I found some at World Market Store. Feeling crafty? Dry your own!

Simple Cake Decorations

What else is special about this cake? The simple and pretty topping on the cake!

Most traditional Persian Love cakes are topped with rose petals, and pistachios. So simple and pretty!

I have mentioned before how cake decorating is not my forte, but THIS I can do and so can you!

PS. You can also experiment with the shape. Instead of going for conventional round cake, you can opt instead for a doughnut shape, which is what Persian bakers have also embraced in recent years.

How to bake a Persian love cake

This is a single layer 9-inch cake with the cake base, topped with a syrup, then with an icing.

1. Mix the semolina and yogurt in a bowl and set aside.
2. In a separate mixing bowl whisk together the sugar and butter, add eggs one at a time, then add semolina and yogurt mixtures together.
3. Add lime zest, cardamon, and rose water.
4. Sift in remaining flours with baking powder and baking soda.

Bake and make syrup

While the cake is baking, next you will make the syrup.

In a saucepan add water, honey, and lime juice. Heat over medium heat until the honey liquifies.

Poke holes in the cooked cake and pour syrup over the cake. Let the cake cool completely before removing it to a serving plate, and finishing with the icing.

Note that in place of lime juice, an extra teaspoon of the rose water can be incorporated in the icing.