ChefAmir Youssef
How to Make Namoura (Semolina Tray Cake)
Namoura tray — one of the richest Arab desserts and very popular. Try this easy method to make it. Garnish with nuts as desired.
These quantities make about 6–12 pieces depending on size. Enjoy.
Ingredients
Start here, then move straight into the method.
- 1 1/2 cups fine semolina
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 100 g melted butter (about just under 1/2 cup)
- 1/2 cup milk or yogurt
- 1 tablespoon orange blossom water
- Cold syrup (qatir/shira) for soaking the namoura
- Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- a squeeze of lemon
- 1 teaspoon orange blossom water
- Syrup
Method
Follow the cooking sequence without leaving the page.
- In a bowl, combine the semolina, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar and mix.
- Add the hot melted butter and rub with your palm until the mixture absorbs all the butter.
- Add the milk or yogurt and orange blossom water and knead well.
- Spread the namoura into a baking tray and level the surface.
- Cover the namoura mixture with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for one hour.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C and bake the namoura for one-third of an hour (about 20 minutes) or until the edges brown.Timers: 20 min
- Brown the namoura tray for about 10 minutes.Timers: 10 min
- Pour the cold syrup over it while the cake is still hot.
- Let it cool well at room temperature before serving.
- Place all the syrup ingredients together, stir, and cook until the syrup reaches the desired consistency — this will require boiling the syrup for about 7 minutes.Timers: 7 min
- Let the syrup cool and pour the cold syrup over the namoura as soon as it comes out of the oven.
- The delicious namoura tray recipe from our friend and site chef
- Amir Youssef
- For more delicious Arabic sweets, here is the premium maamoul
Recipe tags
Notes and serving ideas
- Fancy Semolina Ma'amoul






