In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Stir and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 6-7 minutes.
Add a few drops of lemon juice and simmer for a few more minutes. Then, remove the syrup from the heat.
Prepare the Dough:
In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, egg, semolina, powdered sugar, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla, and flour. Knead until the dough obtains a non-sticky consistency.
Rest the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Shape the Şekerpare:
Take approximately 30 grams of dough and roll it into a ball between your palms.
Press down gently to flatten the ball slightly and taper the ends to form an oval shape.
Place the shaped şekerpare on a baking tray leaving space between them.
Use a pastry brush to brush the tops of the şekerpare with egg yolk. With the back of a fork, make line patterns on the top of each şekerpare.
Bake the Şekerpare:
Bake the şekerpare in a preheated oven at 180°C (355°F) for approximately 30 minutes or until they turn golden brown on top.
Soak in Syrup:
Once cooked, remove from the oven, and allow to cool for a few minutes.
Pour the room temperature syrup over the warm şekerpare and leave to soak for a few hours until the syrup is absorbed.
Serve:
Once the şekerpare has absorbed the syrup, you can optionally sprinkle them with coconut powder or ground pistachios before serving.