Basbousa(بسبوسة)

najwa's Note:

This is a traditional middle eastern dessert. Semolina is the main ingredient.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• ¾ cup butter
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 ¼ cups buttermilk
• 2 cups semolina
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

sugar syrup

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• lemon, juice of

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
2. Melt butter, allow to cool to room temperature.
3. Combine sugar and buttermilk in a large bowl.
4. Combine the semolina, vanilla, baking powder and baking soda in a separate bowl.
5. Add semolina mixture to buttermilk mixture, mix well, then add melted butter, and mix well.
6. Spray an 11x7 inch pan with cooking spray, pour in the mixture; You may also use a 13x9 inch pan, and bake for 25 minutes instead of 30.
7. Let sit for 20 minutes.
8. Bake for 30 minutes, pour sugar syrup over it while still warm.
9. This is usually served with tea or coffee.
10. ------ Sugar Syrup ----------.
11. Combine sugar, water and juice of half a lemon in a saucepan.
12. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20-25 minutes, mixture should thicken when it cools.

Reviews

[Mirj]

This is an excellent version of one of my favorite local desserts. I made this with orange juice instead of lemon, and it was delicious! This is not a cake typical to American palates, but I highly suggest everyone try this at least once!

[Daydream]

Thank you Najwa for a delicious and unusual cake recipe. I enjoyed the slightly chewy texture imparted by the semolina, and the sticky, moistness, provided by the syrup. My only complaint is that my family finished it off before I had a chance to have a second slice! Next time I will do as Mirj did, and make the syrup with orange juice.