Palestinian Fasting Cake Recipes

Steps:

• In saucepan, combine sugar, water, shortening, dates or raisins, nutmeg, cinnamon and ground cloves.
• Boil together for 3 minutes. Let cool.
• Dissolve the baking soda and salt in a cup in 2 teaspoons water. Add the salt/soda to the fruit mixture.
• Combine and gradually add flour and baking powder.
• Pour into a greased 9-inch square pan and bake at 325° for 50 minutes.

Steps:

• Mix the semolina, the sugar and the butter in a large bowl. Use your hands to corporate the butter with the other ingredients until mixed well.
• Mix the yogurt and the baking soda in a separate bowl.
• Wait a few minutes until the yogurt doubles in size.
• When the yogurt has doubled (or almost)pour the yogurt mix on top of the semolina mix.
• Use your hands again to mix.
• After you combined the two mixes, press the mix down on a small jellyroll pan or a 9x13 pyrex baking dish.
• (The cake mix should not be more then 1 inch thick. If it is bake the cake in a bigger pan or take out the extra and bake it in a separte pan.).
• Cut a diamond or square design in the cake witha butter knife.
• If using almond place one in each piece.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 30min to 45 mins until its a bronze brown color.
• Pour cold syrup on top while its hot so it can absorb all through.
• If using ground pistashios sprinkle a little on top of each square.
• FOR THE SYRUP:.
• Mix all the ingredients for the syrup and place in saucepan on high until it boils. If using citric acid use only the the tip of a teaspoon.
• Then reduce the heat to medium for 45 min to 1 hour until it coats a metal spoon.