Best Recipe You’ve Never Heard of: Romanian Crème Fraîche Cake

crème fraîche

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: sour cream

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil adds flavor and is dairy-free.

almond extract

🥗Healthier: vanilla extract

💰Cheaper: imitation almond extract

Vanilla extract is more commonly available.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey provides natural sweetness.

Combine all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl.

Add milk, 2 eggs, yeast, and lemon zest to the dry ingredients.

Mix until the dough is sticky and smooth.

Cover the dough and let it sit for about an hour and a half.

Prepare a rectangular pan by spraying it with oil and lining it with parchment paper, then greasing the parchment.

Press the dough into the prepared pan and let it sit for half an hour.

In a saucepan, bring milk to a simmer, then add sugar and salt, stirring to dissolve.

Add semolina to the milk mixture and stir until thickened.

Remove from heat and add vanilla extract and lemon zest.

Let the mixture cool for about half an hour.

Whip egg whites with a tablespoon or two of sugar until soft peaks form.

Fold the whipped egg whites into the cooled mixture gently.

Pour the mixture over the dough in the pan and bake in a 400°F oven for about 35 minutes.

Let the cake cool in the pan for 30 minutes, then remove from the pan and cool for another half hour before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens