Turkish Semolina Dessert with Honey and Almonds Recipe
This simple dessert made from semolina cooked in milk with honey and almonds is something between a custard and a delicate pudding. In Turkey, sweet semolina desserts are very popular because you can quickly prepare them from basic pantry ingredients. It’s a great way to end a meal on a sweet note without baking.
A quick, comforting Turkish-style semolina dessert that uses simple pantry staples yet feels elegant, with the aroma of honey, lemon zest, and toasted almonds.
Chef's tips
Stir patiently while cooking so the semolina doesn’t catch on the bottom of the pan and stays perfectly smooth. Adjust the sweetness with honey at the end, as its intensity can vary. Lightly toasting the almonds makes a big difference in flavor and crunch.
How to serve
Serve warm on cooler days for a cozy, pudding-like dessert, or well chilled in summer for a refreshing treat. Top with seasonal fruit, a drizzle of extra honey, or a spoonful of thick yogurt for contrast.
Ingredients
- milk - 800 ml
- semolina - 80 g
- honey - 3 tablespoons
- vanillin sugar - 1 teaspoon
- butter - 20 g
- almonds - 30 g
- cinnamon - 0.5 teaspoons
- lemon zest grated - 0.5 teaspoons
Preparation
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the milk with the vanillin sugar over medium heat until hot but not yet boiling.
- Reduce the heat to low. Slowly pour in the semolina in a thin stream, whisking vigorously all the time to prevent lumps from forming.
- Cook for 5–7 minutes over low heat, stirring almost constantly, until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble gently.
- Add the butter, honey, and grated lemon zest, and mix thoroughly until the butter has melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Taste and add a little more honey if needed.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Pour the mixture into small bowls or glasses and smooth the surface with a spoon.
- Toast the almond flakes in a dry pan for 2–3 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.
- Sprinkle the warm dessert with almonds and cinnamon. Serve immediately while warm or after cooling, depending on how you like it.
Storage
No storage information available for this dish.
This dessert is ideal when you crave something sweet but don’t want to turn on the oven. It’s simple, nostalgic, and very forgiving, so it’s also great to make with children.
