The Lion Women of Tehran | Persian Love Cake
I knew The Lion Women of Tehran was going to be a favorite after just a few pages. Combining a soul filled friendship with the political history of Iran and feminist activism made for a book that I couldn’t bear to put down.
At seven years old, Elaheh (Ellie) and Homa form a bond that feels unbreakable; playing games in the alley, cooking with Homa’s mother and studying together. When Ellie moves to a privileged part of town, the girls mourn the loss of their closeness but eventually adjust to life without each other.
A few years later when Homa unexpectedly joins Ellie’s world, the two quickly become inseparable, planning their futures together. Their university years are marred by the political unrest in Iran and their friendship is tested once again when a small slip up leads to unthinkable consequences.
The lore around Persian Love Cake is that it comes from a Persian woman, who baked this cake for a prince while trying to win his love. While Ellie and Homa don’t have a romantic relationship, there is so much love between them, I wanted to make this cake to honor their friendship. Persian Love Cake is bursting with fragrant cardamom, rosewater, lemon and pistachio. This was my first time trying it and it will not be my last, the flavors are amazing.
Persian love Cake
Find the recipe for Persian Love Cake here.
I halved the rose water in the icing and that was the perfect amount for me. If this is your first time baking with rose water, like me, I recommend adding less and adjusting to your own preference.
Hi, I’m Beth! I’ve been inhaling books and baking from the time I learned to read…
