How to Make the Perfect Basbousa
Egyptian · Easy · 45 min · 12 servings
Basbousa is a tender Egyptian semolina cake soaked in fragrant sugar syrup and topped with almonds, producing a sweet, moist, and slightly grainy dessert that is irresistible. It is one of the most beloved sweets across Egypt and the wider Middle East and requires only simple pantry ingredients.
Why this recipe works
This Basbousa recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 45 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 290 calories with 5g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 cups fine semolina
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup plain yogurt
- 100 grams unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup sugar for syrup
- 1 teaspoon rose water
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Mix the Batter
Combine semolina, sugar, yogurt, and melted butter in a bowl and stir until a thick, uniform batter forms. Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes so the semolina begins to absorb the moisture and the batter thickens.
Step 2: Bake the Cake
Pour batter into a greased baking dish and smooth the top with a wet spatula. Score the surface into diamond shapes, press one whole almond onto each diamond, and bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 25 to 30 minutes until deeply golden.
Step 3: Make the Syrup
Combine 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil stirring until dissolved. Simmer for 5 minutes then remove from heat and stir in rose water.
Step 4: Soak and Cool
Immediately pour the hot syrup evenly over the hot basbousa as soon as it comes out of the oven. Allow to cool completely for at least 20 minutes so the cake fully absorbs the syrup before cutting along the scored lines.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- plain yogurt → sour cream or full fat coconut yogurt
- rose water → orange blossom water
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Pouring cold syrup over cold cake which prevents proper absorption and leaves the cake dry
- Cutting the basbousa before it has rested and absorbed the syrup fully
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 290 calories, 5g protein, 44g carbs, 11g fat, 1g fiber.
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