Traditional Semolina Cake Recipe with a Cadbury Twist

Written by Jheelum Basu | January 18, 2025

Semolina cake is a traditional dessert that is quite popular among many cultures around the globe. It is prepared using semolina flour, which is produced from durum wheat. In fact, the semolina flour gives this cake a unique and special texture as well as flavor that is both moist and crunchy at the same time.

In Indian culture, semolina cakes are widely cherished, as it creates a perfectly accessible and eggless sacred offerings. Be it a rava cake or rava kesari, all they need is some kitchen staples like milk, sugar, ghee, coconut, and cardamom. And to give it a contemporary twist, there is nothing better than adding some Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate. With this easy semolina cake recipe, you can turn the traditional dish into a modern fusion delight that is suitable for both special occasions and regular dinners.

Key Ingredients & Flavor Combinations

Ingredients:

• 251 gm semolina flour
• Cadbury Dairy Milk Bar ( 1-2 medium-sized bars)
• 202 gm sugar
• 3 tsp baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• 241 ml milk
• 122 ml vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 201 gm sugar
• 202 ml water
• 2 tsp rose water
• Sugar
• Whipped cream
• Fruit

Here, the grainy semolina blends with he sweetness of sugar and indulgence of chocolate to create a perfect cake filled with the flavors of vanilla extract and rose water. Be it a religious occasion or a celebration, this semolina cake is a perfect choice.

How To Make the Perfect Semolina Cake

1. In a medium bowl, whisk semolina flour, baking powder, and salt, semolina flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Sift the dry ingredients to ensure they are well combined and aerated.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together whole milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and pure vanilla extract. You must ensure that the wet ingredients are well whisked so they are smooth and properly mixed.

3. Next, you can add the dry ingredients to the wet ones in gradual steps, and whisk until just combined. You need to take care to avoid overmixing the batter because otherwise, it may make your cake tough.

4. Melt the Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate in a separate bowl using either a microwave or double-boiler method until in become smooth, glossy, and pourable. Once done, combine the melted chocolate with the batter.

5. Now, preheat your oven to 180°C, grease a round cake pan, and line the bottom with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake for 35 to 40 minutes.

6. Next, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes in the pan before removing it and placing it on a wire rack to cool completely.

7. Once cooled, dust it with powdered sugar or top with a dollop of whipped cream.

8. To prepare the syrup, combine granulated sugar, water, and rose water in a small saucepan. Place it on medium heat while stirring continuously until the sugar is dissolved.

9. You can bring the syrup to a boil, then turn down the heat and allow it to simmer for 5 to 7 minutes or until the syrup is a little thick. Next, remove the syrup from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature.

10. To serve the cake, slice it into thin pieces and drizzle the syrup on top. For an optional topping, add a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Tips & Tricks for a Fluffy Cake

You need to keep in mind a few things while preparing this dish. For starters, when it comes to making the batter, it is essential to mix the ingredients properly. Soak the semolina for that perfect texture. Cream or blend the wet bases well and gently fold the dry ingredients instead of mixing them vigorously.

Make sure the ingredients are at room temperature for proper emulsification, even soaking, and proper rising. Using ingredients at the right temperature ensures smooth mixing and prevents a dense texture.

It is equally important to maintain proper baking times. While it also depends on the ingredients (egg/yogurt base) and size of the cake, usually a standard 6-to-8-inch cake takes 25-40 minutes at 180°C.

Sift the semolina flour well so that it combines well and there is proper aeration. Avoid overmixing the batter, as that will result in a rather dense cake. Finally, bake the cake slowly and evenly because otherwise, it will burn or crack easily.

Add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon or a pinch of ground cardamom to the batter for an extra layer of flavor. Semolina flour can be replaced with a gluten-free flour blend in order to have a gluten-free cake. For a lemon flavor, you can add a teaspoon of grated lemon zest and 2 tbsp of freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Rose water is quite widely used in many traditional desserts, including this semolina cake. It will give your baked goods a sweet, floral flavor and fragrance. It is also a good way of moistening and tendering baked goods, which makes it very popular for some gourmet desserts.

Adding a Cadbury Twist

To add a decadent chocolatey twist to the traditional recipe, melt the Cadbury Dairy Milk or Cadbury Bournville in a microwave-safe bowl for one minute or until it turns into a smooth and glossy liquid chocolate, and pour it into the semolina cake batter.

If using Cadbury cocoa powder, sift it first to get rid of lumps. Bloom the cocoa powder in some warm milk or hot water, turn it into a smooth paste, and then incorporate it into the mixture.

For some added chocolatey indulgence, you may garnish it with some chocolate shavings on top as well.

Serving Suggestions

While the cake surely tastes delicious, it is also important to serve it aesthetically. For an attractive visual appeal, you may serve it with some chocolate drizzles or a dollop of whipped cream on top. Freshly sliced fruits and chocolate spreads also go well with it.