LENT cake with tender puff pastry, semolina cream and jam – a delicious and easy-to-make dessert

A Lenten cake with tender puff pastry, semolina cream, and jam sounds like a delightful and satisfying dessert, especially for those observing Lenten dietary restrictions. Here’s a recipe that combines these elements into a delicious and easy-to-make treat:

Lenten Puff Pastry Cake with Semolina Cream and Jam

Ingredients:

• For the Puff Pastry:
  • 2 sheets of store-bought Lenten puff pastry (check the ingredients to ensure it’s dairy-free)
• For the Semolina Cream:
  • 500 ml plant-based milk (almond, soy, oat, etc.)
  • 100 g semolina
  • 80-100 g sugar (or to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional: lemon zest
• For the Filling:
  • 200-300g jam (choose a Lenten-friendly jam, such as berry, apricot, or plum)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Puff Pastry:
   • Preheat your oven according to the puff pastry package directions.
   • Roll out each puff pastry sheet slightly, if necessary.
   • Cut the pastry into equal-sized rectangles or squares.
   • Bake the puff pastry until golden brown and flaky. Let cool completely.
2. Make the Semolina Cream:
   • In a saucepan, heat the plant-based milk over medium heat.
   • Gradually whisk in the semolina, sugar, salt and optional lemon zest, stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
   • Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the semolina thickens into a creamy pudding-like consistency.
   • Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
   • Let the cream cool slightly.
3. Assemble the Cake:
   • Take one puff pastry layer and spread a layer of jam evenly over it.
   • Apply a layer of the semolina cream over the jam.
   • Top with another puff pastry layer.
   • Repeat the layers, if your puff pastry has enough layers.
   • If you have any remaining semolina cream, you can spread it over the top layer.
4. Chill:
   • Place the assembled cake in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1-2 hours, allowing the cream to set and the flavors to meld.
5. Serve:
   • Cut the cake into squares or rectangles and serve.

Tips and Variations:

• Jam Selection: Choose a jam that complements the semolina cream. Berry jams provide a nice tart contrast, while apricot or plum jams offer a sweeter, richer flavor.
• Flavoring the Cream: You can add lemon zest, orange zest, or other extracts to the semolina cream for added flavor.
• Layering: The number of layers will depend on the size of your puff pastry sheets.
• Decorations: Before serving, you can dust the cake with powdered sugar or garnish with fresh fruit.
• Plant based milk: You can choose your favorite plant based milk. Coconut milk will add a very rich flavor.
• Semolina: For finer texture use fine semolina.