This Basbousa recipe brings a tender and fragrant semolina cake to life in just under an hour.
My introduction to this Middle Eastern and North African treat took place when I was 16 years old and was visiting a friend’s childhood home on Long Island. Her mother offered me a square of a homemade dessert that I had never seen before. It was golden, picturesque, and soaked in syrup. She said it was called basbousa, and it had been a favorite in their large Egyptian family for generations.
Years later, in my early twenties, I decided to try making it myself. To my surprise, it turned out beautifully, and I was so excited to have my friends try it. They all loved it – even those who swore they hated coconut.
This is one of those deceptively simple and quick dessert recipes. When you taste it, you’d never guess it takes less than an hour to make. It’s a fantastic option for those who aren’t huge fans of traditional cakes, and with its toasted golden hue and almond-studded arrangement, it’s visually impressive. This basbousa recipe works for just about any occasion, but is sure to be a massive hit at dinner parties.
Is Basbousa Healthy?
Basbousa isn’t really healthy, but it’s perfectly fine to enjoy in moderation. It’s a tasty sweet treat, which is precisely the point – it’s a treat. If you do need to alter it a bit to suit a vegan diet or to make this dairy-free, you can use plant-based yogurt (like coconut yogurt) and your preferred plant-based milk in lieu of the full dairy versions. Instead of butter, you can opt for vegan butter or coconut oil. Because this dessert is high in sugar, it’s best enjoyed in moderation.
Basbousa For The Holidays
Travel to Cairo today, and you’re sure to find basbousa being sold on nearly every street. This dessert is particularly popular during religious holidays like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. During Ramadan, basbousa is a common presence at iftar, the evening meal to break the fast, across the Islamic world. It is enjoyed by both Egyptian Muslims and Christians alike. Basbousa is believed to have originated sometime between the 10th and 16th centuries. Though it is most commonly associated with Egyptian cuisine, delicious variations of this dish are enjoyed throughout the region.
How do I store leftovers?
Store this basbousa in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
If you’re making this basbousa for a special dinner, I think it’s always a good idea to include other compatible treats to add variety and something for everyone. First things first: I highly suggest you have a hot cup of black tea, or Earl Grey, to sip while you enjoy this dessert. As for accoutrements, this Chocolate Whipped Cream would stun (and all it takes is one dollop!).
I’m a big fan of this Healthy Chocolate And Pomegranate Ice Cream, these Chocolate Covered Raspberries, these White Chocolate Covered Strawberries, and this White Chocolate Mousse. Any of these would make wonderful additions, too.
Ingredients
- Tahini paste for coating dish
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3 cups coarse semolina
- 4 ounces unsalted butter melted
- 1 1/4 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
- 3/4 cup milk
- 24 whole almonds
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar for syrup
- 1 1/3 cups water for syrup
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice for syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with tahini paste.
- In a bowl, mix yogurt, sugar, baking powder, and semolina. Add melted butter, coconut, and milk to form a batter.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Cut into diamonds and place an almond on each piece.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
- While the cake bakes, boil syrup ingredients for 8 minutes to make syrup.
- Pour the hot syrup over the hot cake immediately after baking. Allow to cool and absorb the syrup before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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