Halva Gateau

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. 2
   Grease and line 2 deep 8-inch round cake pans with waxed paper.
3. 3
   To make a cake, in a bowl, cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
4. 4
   Gradually beat in eggs and coffee.
5. 5
   Stir in semolina, baking powder, cinnamon and ground almonds.
6. 6
   Divide between prepared pans and bake in oven 10 minutes.
7. 7
   Lower temperature to 350F (180C) F and bake 10 to 15 minutes, until a skewer inserted into center comes out clean.
8. 8
   Let stand in pan 2 minutes, then turn each out unto a wire rack placed over a plate.
9. 9
   Meanwhile, make syrup.
10. 10
    Put sugar and water into a sauce pan and heat gently until sugar has dissolved.
11. 11
    Boil 4 minutes, remove from heat and stir in coffee.
12. 12
    Bring back to boil, pour over cake and cool.
13. 13
    To make Halva cream, in a sauce pan, heat Halva, coffee and sugar gently, until smooth; cool.
14. 14
    In a bowl, beat butter until soft, then beat in Halva mixture.
15. 15
    Sandwich cakes together with half of Halva cream.
16. 16
    Spread with remaining cream and decorate with nuts.