Turkish Cuisine

DESSERTS

SEKERPARE

INGREDITENS                                                             

250 grams butter (at room temperatue)
2 eggs
½ cup semolina
½ cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract/powder
3 ½ -4 cups flour
Walnut quarters or almond/hazelnut for top
Syrup:
3 cups sugar
4 cups water
1 Tbsp lemon juice
    PREPARATION
     First prepare the syrup by boiling sugar and water for 3-5 minutes. Then, stir in lemon juice and leave aside to cool.
     Meanwhile, mix softened butter, sugar, eggs and semolina. Then, add flour slowly and knead at the same time. Add baking powder and vanilla. The dough should be soft and non sticky as cookie dough. Take walnut size pieces and make round ball shapes using your palms. Arrange them over a greased baking tray and press gently over each one sticking a piece of walnut/almond/hazelnut. Bake them in a preheated 350F (180C) oven until they turn light brown for about 30-40 minutes.
      Pour the cooled syrup over hot Sekerpares right after taking them out of the oven. Use either a spoon or ladle for uniform distribution. Leave the Sekerpares inside the syrup for at least 4-5 hours beforeserving.  You may cover them with another tray to decrease the absorption time.