Sri Lankan Love Cake

The cake is a nutty, a bit spicy, with lots of flavors and essences. According to the legend the Portuguese brought with them on Sri Lanka a cake named ‘Bolo di Amor’ which translates to ‘coarse cakes of love’.

The cake was a huge success. Sri Lankans created their own version of the cake combining the European flavors of citrus with cashews, spices and essences of the island.

It was dubbed a ‘love cake’ as according to the legend it was made by ladies looking to win the hearts of future husbands.

Ingredients

• 300 grams semolina lightly toasted
• 125 grams butter
• 10 eggs separated
• 400 grams sugar
• 1/4 cup crystallized pumpkin available at Sri Lankan grocers
• 80 grams honey
• 185 grams cashews crushed
• 40 milliliters rosewater
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2-3 lime zest only
• icing sugar

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 200°C (390° Fahrenheit)
• Place the semolina and butter in a tray.
• Place in an oven until the butter has melted.
• Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks in a large bowl.
• Add the sugar and mix until combined.
• Stir in the crystallized pumpkin.
• Stir in the honey and cashews.
• Add the rosewater and stir to combine.
• Add the nutmeg and cinnamon and stir until the mixture is pale.
• In a clean dry bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form.
• Fold the egg whites into the cake mixture.
• Stir in the lime zest.
• Add the semolina-butter mixture to the cake mixture.
• Pour into a tray lined with baking paper.
• Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour or until firm to touch.
• Remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly.
• Dust with icing sugar and cut into slices to serve.

Notes

Learn more about the cuisine of Sri Lanka, by checking out our roundup of the most popular Sri Lankan foods.