Hbeish (gâteau aux noix et au sésame)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and butter a 22 cm square dish.
2. Melt the butter and let it cool slightly, then whisk it with the sugar until creamy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, then the yoghurt, and mix well.
4. Stir in the semolina, baking powder, salt and mahlab if using, then add the chopped walnuts and half the sesame seeds.
5. Spread the batter in the dish, smooth the surface and sprinkle the remaining sesame in a decorative crosshatch.
6. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until golden and a knife comes out clean.
7. While it bakes, boil the sugar and water for 5 minutes, then add the orange blossom water off the heat. Pour the warm syrup over the cake as soon as it comes out of the oven and let it soak in.