Sweet Juicy Dessert Cake

Juicy dessert fritters topped with a syrup of saffron and cardamom. Sweet and delicious, they’re a traditional treat of Dubai

Most syrup recipes require double the amount of sugar but this gave more than enough syrup. This recipe uses green cardamom pods and cinnamon sticks, but the powder version will work just fine.

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• For the Syrup:
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon saffron
• Pinch of salt

• For the Fritters:
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar 
• 1 cup full-fat yogurt
• 1 egg
• 4 cups canola oil (or enough to measure a depth of 2 inches, for frying)
• Garnish: strips of lemon rind

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. To make the syrup, add the sugar, water, lemon juice, cardamom, cinnamon, saffron and pinch of salt to a large pot. Bring to a simmer and stir until the sugar dissolves. Allow to sit while you make the fritters.
3. In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and Greek yogurt.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until ​dough forms. Allow to rest for about ten minutes.
6. In a large pot, heat the oil to 350 F.
7. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop (anywhere from 1/2- to 1-ounce depending on what you have), scoop the dough into the hot oil. Work in batches so as not to overcrowd the pot.
8. Stir the fritters around so that they get browned on all sides. Total frying time for each batch should be about 2 to 3 minutes. When they’re browned, drain them on a paper towel.
9. Once all are fried, move them to a bowl, pour the syrup over them and top with the strips (or zest) of the lemon rind.
10. Picnic ready!

Juicy sweet fritters yummy!