Grapefruit Sumac Cake

 

The Recipe

Makes: 1 x 20cm x 8cm loaf cake
Preparation: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 50-60 minutes

“Sumac is a crimson red ‘spice’ with both citrus and sweet notes and can be considered as one of the oldest seasonings in the world”


Sumac is a crimson red ‘spice’ with both citrus and sweet notes and can be considered as one of the oldest seasonings in the world. Made from crushed and dried berries of the Rhus Corairia plant, its applications as a culinary ingredient and medicine dates back to Ancient times.

Originally from the Middle East, Sumac has evolved into a cultural anchor of the region and is sprinkled in Iranian kebabs and stews, Palestinian beef and chickpea stew, sumaghiyyeh, and used to season or colour fish dishes and onions in Turkey. It was added to dishes in the Mediterranean as a souring agent before citrus was commonly used.

Sumac is rich in antioxidants and has been used since Ancient Roman times to ease digestive issues and traditionally was used to heal wounds as it contains antimicrobial properties.

Despite its versatile flavour profile, many dishes that use sumac are savoury, and I thought it would be a wonderful experiment to incorporate it into an almond grapefruit cake to enhance this unique spice.

INGREDIENTS


220g unsalted butter
220g unrefined caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 pink grapefruit zest
1 grapefruit, juice (around 100mls)
3 eggs
150g plain flour
80g ground almonds
2 tsp baking powder
2.5 tsp sumac
pinch of salt
50g labneh or yoghurt
1 pink grapefruit as garnish

METHOD

  1. Preheat the oven to around 180’C

  2. Cream caster sugar, butter, vanilla and zest until light and fluffy

  3. Add in eggs and mix to combine

  4. In a separate bowl, mix flour, almonds, baking powder, and sumac

  5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and lastly add in the yoghurt until combined

  6. Peel and slice the grapefruit into wheels

  7. Line the loaf tin with baking paper and line the base with sliced grapefruit wheels

  8. Pour cake batter over the grapefruit into the tin. Tap to even out the batter

  9. Bake in the oven for 50-60 minutes. When a knife is inserted, it should come out reasonably clean

  10. Allow the cake to cool slightly in the tin before turning it out to cool completely. Cool with the grapefruit side up

  11. Slice and serve with cream and dust with icing sugar