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Basbousa Recipe

Basbousa is dessert made from coarse semolina, and means small kiss in Arabic.
4.82 from 11 votes
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keyword: Carrot Cake, Semolina
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 266kcal

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 2 cups Semolina coarse
  • 1 cup Coconut desiccated
  • ½ cup Butter melted
  • cup Sugar
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 cup Plain Yogurt
  • Slivered Almonds

For the Syrup

  • 2 cups Sugar
  • cups Water
  • 1 tsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 tbsp Rose Water/Orange Blossom Water

Instructions

For the Cake

  • Preheat oven to 400ºF (200ºC).
  • In a bowl combine the semolina, baking soda, coconut, sugar, and melted butter.
  • Incorporate ingredients well by mixing them together by hand.
  • Add the yogurt and mix in well.
  • Press the cake batter into an 8X8 baking dish, and smooth flat.
  • Using a knife, score the top of the cake creating diamond shaped pieces.
  • Push a piece of slivered almond into each diamond shaped piece of cake batter.
  • Place in the oven on the middle rack for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

For the Syrup

  • In a small saucepan over high heat dissolve sugar in water by stirring until water is clear.
  • Add lemon juice, and rose water or orange blossom water.
  • Bring to a boil and then remove from heat and allow to cool for about 20 minutes. 

Bringing It Together

  • Remove cake once done, and cut through scored lines making sure to carve all the way to the bottom of the tray.
  • Pour syrup over the cake by evenly distributing the sugar water.
  • Allow the cake to absorb all the syrup.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 266kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 139mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 192IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg