Sfouf bil debis (carob molasses cake) recipe (2024)

With all due respect to brownies, these Lebanese
Sfouf bi debs bars are rich, moist and almost fudgy,( the very definition of irresistible) and they might have just taken brownies’ spot as my kids’ new favorite dessert!

Molasses cake orsfouf b debsis an egg-less, vegetarian Lebanese cake made with local carob molasses instead of sugar.

What is carob molasses (dibs kharoob)?

Carob molasses (debs el kharroub) is a thick brown syrup, traditionally prepared in Lebanon -and throughout the Levant -from carob pods:the pods are milled then soaked in water and a thick and sweet liquid is extracted by reducing the liquid from soaking the pods.

Sfouf bil debis (carob molasses cake) recipe (1)

What can I use carob molasses for?

You can think of carob molasses as a natural and healthy sweetener and as a substitute for chocolate. As a sweetener,it is a wonderful addition to your baked goods and desserts, it adds a mild sweetness and a mild nutty tone. You can use it instead of honey, syrup or sugar in a recipe. I love it in the morning mixed with Greek yogurt then topped with some nuts, seeds or granola. If you have never tried it before,the best place to start is to mix equal parts tahini and molasses and dive in! You can dip some pita bread into the mix or simply enjoy it by the spoonful 😛
You can also use it in marinades, smoothies and salad dressings. If you can’t find carob syrup/ molasses you may be able to find carob powder and that is a great substitute for cocoa in dessert recipes .
In addition to its sweet chocolaty flavor, it is actually packed with nutrients. It is rich in potassium, calcium and phosphorous, and an important source of iron

Sfouf bil debis (carob molasses cake) recipe (2)

I am sharing two versions of this recipe with you today. One with added sugar and powdered milk and the other one is vegan and added sugar free. The recipe with added sugar yields a fudgy, moist and slightly dense sfouf that is almost brownie like in consistency. The sugar free version is lighter, not overly sweet and has a more airy cake like crumb.

Before getting to the recipe, please allow me to thank all of you my wonderful readers who have welcomed me back with your kind comments. Your words and warmth touched my heart and I am deeply grateful 🙂

Sfouf bil debis (carob molasses cake) recipe (3)

Carob molasses cake (sfouf bi debis kharoub)

1 tablespoon tahini
1 1/2 cup fine semolina flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup powdered milk
1 1/2 teaspoon ground anise
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/3 cup carob molasses (check out the notes for substitutions)
1/4 cup untoasted sesame seeds

Directions
1.Heat the oven to 350F (180C).
2.Use the tahini to brush a 10 inch (25 cm) round cake pan. Make sure to brush the base and sides. The tahini does a dual purpose: prevent sticking and adding flavor
3.In a bowl , add the semolina flour, both types of flour, sugar, powdered milk, ground anise, baking powder,whisk to combine
4. In another bowl, mix the water, vegetable oil, and carob molasses.
5. Add the wet mix to the dry mix and whisk until well combined.
6.Pour the batter in the cake pan.
7.Sprinkle evenly with the sesame seeds.
8.Bake in the oven for 40 minutes. (or until a cake tester comes out clean) 9.Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
10.Cut in small squares

Sugar free sfouf

1 tablespoon tahini
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tablespoon anise seeds
1 1/2 teaspoon ground anise
1 teaspoon ground fennel
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup olive oil
1 1/4 cup carob molasses (check out the notes for substitutions)
1/4 cup untoasted sesame seeds for topping

Directions
1.Heat the oven to 350F (180C).
2.Use the tahini to brush a 10 inch (25 cm) round cake pan. Make sure to brush the base and sides. The tahini does a dual purpose: prevent sticking and adding flavor
3.In a bowl , both types of flour, anise seeds, ground anise,ground fennel , cinnamon, baking powder,whisk to combine
4. In another bowl, mix the water, oil, and carob molasses.
5. Add the wet mix to the dry mix and whisk until well combined.
6.Pour the batter in the cake pan.
7.Sprinkle evenly with the sesame seeds.
8.Bake in the oven for 40 minutes. (or until a cake tester comes out clean) 9.Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
10.Cut in small squares

Can I use different types of molasses in this recipe?

Traditionally this recipe is made with carob molasses but I have tried it with date molasses and a combination of date and carob molasses and it works really well with all the options. Do keep in mind though that each type of molasses has its own unique taste that it lends to the cake. So experiment with different types and decide which one or combination do you like best


سبق جربتوا السفوف؟ طيب جربتوا تعملوا حلويات بدبس الخروب؟
دبس الخروب من المحليات الطبيعيه التراثيه اللي كانت تستخدم بكثرة في بلاد الشام.هو بديل صحي للشوكولاته في وصفات الحلويات و هو غني بالبوتاسيوم و الكالسيوم و الفسفور و الحديد
السفوف بدبس الخروب وصفة تراثية لبنانيه جميلة

Sfouf bil debis (carob molasses cake) recipe (4)
Sfouf bil debis (carob molasses cake) recipe (5)
Sfouf bil debis (carob molasses cake) recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is carob the same as molasses? ›

The most common forms of molasses are made from either sugar cane or sugar beet juice which is boiled down to a syrup. Sugar crystals are extracted from the syrup, and the remaining dark liquid is molasses. Molasses can also be made from sorghum, pomegranate, carob, and dates.

What is carob molasses used for? ›

Carob molasses is considered a natural expectorant and is traditionally used in the area of intervention to relieve severe cough, seasonal allergy and treat respiratory diseases and gastritis.

What does carob molasses taste like? ›

Carob molasses is a dark, slightly gelled syrup. It has an almost pungent, roasted, sweet-ish aroma with intense caramely, jammy dried fruit flavors, perhaps pruney or raisiny, with a note of burnt toast, a nuance of chocolate, and some bitterness.

How do you eat carob molasses? ›

There is something chocolatey in the flavor, as well as something fruity, and certainly what I would call a molasses profile. I've even heard about people using it as syrup for pancakes and waffles. It would also be great and surprising on vanilla ice cream, with beef, roasted Brussels sprouts or cauliflower.

Is carob molasses a laxative? ›

Carob molasses is one of the old traditional tasty sweets that used to be consumed frequently by the Lebanese community. It was believed to have several important medicinal functions of which the laxative effect was the most common.

Can you eat too much carob? ›

As a dietary supplement, carob isn't under the same FDA guidelines. Consuming a lot of carob may not be safe, particularly for pregnant women. It may cause unintended weight loss and decreases in blood sugar and insulin levels.

Does carob molasses need to be refrigerated? ›

Should molasses be refrigerated after opening it? Except for the unsulfured variety, molasses does not need to be refrigerated after a person opens the jar. They can store it in a cool, dry place. To prevent fermenting, a person should refrigerate unsulfured molasses.

What country eats the most carob? ›

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of carob consumption in 2018 were Portugal (38K tonnes), Italy (34K tonnes) and Turkey (14K tonnes), with a combined 60% share of global consumption.

Why do people eat carob instead of chocolate? ›

Carob is often used as a chocolate substitute for those who are sensitive to caffeine and theobromine or are looking for a lower-fat option. Delving deeper into the nutritional profiles of carob and chocolate reveals some fascinating contrasts, including the unique benefits of each rich, flavorful food.

Can dogs eat carob molasses? ›

there's a chocolate substitute that's perfectly safe for dogs, and it's called carob. You've probably seen carob on dog treats in fancy dog boutiques, and perhaps you stayed away from them because it looked too much like chocolate for your liking. But good news—carob is perfectly safe for dogs to eat.

How do you make carob taste like chocolate? ›

The trick to getting it to taste just like chocolate is by adding a teaspoon or two of instant coffee (or coffee substitute such as barley- or chicory-based “coffee” powders sold in health food stores and some supermarkets).

Why does carob smell? ›

The carob fruit is popular for its intense aroma due to the emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Is carob good for stomach? ›

Medicinally, carob is used for digestion problems including diarrhea, heartburn, and the intestine's inability to properly absorb certain nutrients from food. These absorption disorders include celiac disease and sprue. Other uses of carob include treatment of obesity, vomiting during pregnancy, and high cholesterol.

What vitamins are in carob molasses? ›

Carob molasses is rich in calcium, zinc, and other minerals. Calcium content is three times more than milk. It is an excellent source of vitamins A,B2,B3,B6,E and gives power to body.

Can you eat raw carob? ›

Technically, you can gnaw on raw carob pods, but it's hard work and not the most pleasant experience. You can buy carob powder, which is probably the most common way it's consumed. Carob chips, similar to chocolate chips, are also relatively easy to find.

What is the common name for carob? ›

Ceratonia siliqua, the scientific name of the carob tree, derives from the Greek κερατωνία keratōnia, "carob-tree" (cf. κέρας kéras, "horn"), and Latin siliqua "pod, carob". In English, it is also known as "St. John's bread" and "locust tree" (not to be confused with African locust bean).

What is the benefit of carob syrup? ›

Medicinally, carob is used for digestion problems including diarrhea, heartburn, and the intestine's inability to properly absorb certain nutrients from food. These absorption disorders include celiac disease and sprue. Other uses of carob include treatment of obesity, vomiting during pregnancy, and high cholesterol.

What is the closest thing to molasses? ›

The Best Molasses Substitutes

"Other substitutes include Sorghum syrup, and Treacle, an English version of molasses, you may find at an international market." Honey, dark corn syrup, and maple syrup can also be used to replace molasses in recipes.

References

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