Kefir Semolina Cake with Apples
A popular semolina cake with fruit filling! Have you tried making a moist kefir semolina cake with apples in the oven? It turns out very tasty, tender, airy, and aromatic. A crumbly top and a moist bottom layer soaked with the fruit’s juices. You’ll definitely want to make it again!
Updated : 20 February, 2026
Easy
More than 1 hour.
Ingredients
2
Eggs
1 cup
Semolina
1 cup
Kefir
0.75 cup
Sugar
50 grams
Butter
2 teaspoon
Baking powder
to taste
Salt
0.25 teaspoon
Vanillin
3
Apple
Table
Table of volume measurements:
- teaspoon - 5 ml
- dessert spoon - 10 ml
- tablespoon - 20 ml
- glass - 200 ml
Preparation
Step 1
How to bake a semolina cake with apples? Measure the ingredients using a 250 ml (1 cup) glass. Take the butter out in advance so it softens at room temperature. The kefir shouldn’t be cold either. The number of apples depends on the cake pan diameter - use 3-5 medium apples.
Step 2
Pour the kefir over the semolina and mix well. Leave for 1 hour so the semolina swells.
Step 3
Carefully separate the eggs into whites and yolks.
Step 4
In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar, yolks, and softened butter.
Step 5
Whisk until smooth and the sugar dissolves.
Step 6
Add the semolina soaked in kefir to the mixture and stir.
Step 7
Beat the egg whites with salt: first on low speed until soft peaks form, then increase the speed and beat until you get a thick, stable foam.
Step 8
Add baking powder and vanillin to the batter and mix.
Step 9
Using a spatula, gently fold the whipped whites into the batter with upward motions from the bottom.
Step 10
The batter will be slightly runny and fluffy thanks to the beaten whites.
Step 11
Wash and dry the apples well, remove the cores. If desired, peel them. Slice half of the apples into wedges or cubes.
Step 12
Grease the pan with butter. Carefully pour in the batter. Spread the chopped apples on top. During baking, the batter will rise noticeably and the apples will end up inside the cake. Why not mix the apples into the batter right away? So you don’t disturb the airy structure.
Step 13
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C / 356°F for about 25 minutes. It’s best not to open the oven during this time so the cake doesn’t sink. When the surface sets and a visible crust appears, carefully take the pan out. Place the remaining apples (sliced into wedges) on top of the cake. Put the pan back into the oven.
Step 14
Bake until done for about 25 minutes more. I used an 18 cm (7 in) pan. You can use a 22 cm (8.7 in) pan - then the cake will be lower and the baking time will be shorter. Let the cake cool, then remove it from the pan.
Step 15
Enjoy!
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