Recipe for My Yiayia’s Savaren

It occurred to me that posting the actual recipe for this dessert might be just a little bit helpful!  So, here it is.

Syrup: 2 c. sugar
3 c. water

Cake: 6 egg whites
3/4 c. farina
1/2 c. breadcrumbs
2 oz. (or 1/2 c.) almond meal
6 egg yolks
3/4 c. sugar
2 oz. (or 1/4 c.) fresh orange juice
Grated rind of 1/2 orange

  1. Make syrup: heat sugar and water on stovetop until sugar dissolves and syrup thickens (about 15 mins.).  Cool syrup slightly and refrigerate.
  2. Grease a 12”x7” pan and set aside.
  3. Preheat oven to 325˚F.
  4. Make cake: beat egg whites until stiff, but not dry; set aside.  Mix farina, breadcrumbs, and almond meal together and set aside.  Beat egg yolks, gradually adding sugar, until light and creamy; add orange juice and rind, then mix. Gently, alternate stirring egg whites and dry ingredients into egg yolk mixture. 
  5. Pour mixture into greased pan and bake for 30 mins. (or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean).
  6. While it is still hot, prick the top of the cake all over, and pour the cold syrup onto the hot cake.  Let cool, then cut; diamond-shapes are traditional.