Middle Eastern Basbousa Recipe

Basbousa is a popular dessert made from semolina that is served in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries. It is infused with syrup and then served with nuts including coconut or almonds.

The dessert is served all over the Middle East and Mediterranean with different variations and names varying from country to country. However, all variations are always made with semolina, soaked in syrup, and served with almonds on top. 

Origin & Cultural Significance

Basbousa can be traced back to ancient times and variations of the dessert can be found in Eygpt, Lebanon, Greece, Turkey, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, and Jordan. It is made using traditional local ingredients, such as semolina and, like many Middle Eastern desserts, a simple syrup often infused with rose water. 

The syrup-soaked cake is enjoyed at festivals, weddings, and special occasions. The dish is particularly quick and easy to make, making it a favorite for get-togethers at home or a quick dish for unexpected guests. 

The name Basbousa or Bosboosa is also the name given to loved ones in Arabic, literally meaning “my sweet” and it’s often considered one of the most popular desserts in the region, particularly in Egypt.

Continue to Content

Middle Eastern Basbousa Recipe

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Bambousa is a popular dessert made from semolina that is served in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries.

Print

Ingredients

• Semolina - 2 cups
• Sugar - 1 cup
• Baking powder - 1 tsp
• Unsweetened shredded coconut - 1 cup
• Plain yogurt - 1 cup
• Melted butter - 1/2 cup
• Blanched almonds (for garnish) - 20-25
• Sugar - 1 1/2 cups
• Water - 1 1/2 cups
• Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
• Rose water (optional) - 1 tsp

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

1. In a large bowl, combine the semolina, sugar, baking powder, and shredded coconut.
2. Add the yogurt and melted butter to the dry ingredients, mixing until well combined. The batter will be thick.
3. Spread the batter evenly in the greased baking dish. Score the surface into diamond shapes and place an almond in the center of each piece.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. While the cake is baking, prepare the syrup. In a saucepan, combine sugar and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add lemon juice and rose water (if using), then remove from heat.
6. Pour the hot syrup over the cake as soon as it comes out of the oven. Let it soak in and cool before cutting along the scored lines.
7. Serve the Basbousa at room temperature.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 618Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 197mgCarbohydrates: 99gFiber: 4gSugar: 66gProtein: 8g

Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.