Turkish cuisine · Desserts & Sweets

Hurma Tatlısı (Date-Shaped Semolina Pastry)

Date-shaped semolina pastry with yogurt and butter, baked and soaked in cold lemon syrup.

Ingredients · for 8 servings

• 200 g semolina
• 300 g flour
• 150 g butter
• 150 g yogurt
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 450 g sugar
• 500 ml water
• 1 tbsp juice of one lemon
• 2 tbsp pistachios

Instructions

1. Boil the sugar, water and lemon juice for 12 min. into a clear syrup and let cool completely; the syrup must be cold when the pastry comes hot from the oven.
2. Beat the softened butter with yogurt and egg until smooth, then knead in the semolina, baking powder and gradually the flour until a soft, non-sticky dough forms.
3. Let the dough rest covered for 20 min. so the semolina can swell, and preheat the oven to 180°C meanwhile.
4. Shape the dough into about 24 date-shaped rolls, score them lengthwise with the back of a grater or a fork and place with space between them on a baking-paper-lined tray.
5. Bake for 25–30 min. until the pastry is evenly golden brown and feels dry on the bottom.
6. Immediately dip the hot pieces in batches into the cold syrup for 1 min., turn, let drain and serve sprinkled with chopped pistachios.