Middle Eastern Basbosa Cake

Basbosa, also known as Harissa, is a traditional Middle Eastern semolina cake that's beloved for its moist texture and rich flavor. This delightful dessert is incredibly easy to make and sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Follow along with this recipe to create a scrumptious Basbosa that will be a hit at any gathering.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

🥚 3 eggs
🍚 1/3 cup sugar
🍦 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
🛢️ 1 cup oil
🥛 1 cup vanilla or plain yogurt
🥥 1 cup unsweetened coconut
🥄 1 teaspoon baking powder
🌾 2 cups fine semolina (سميد ناعم)
🌰 Almonds and pistachios for topping

For the Simple Syrup:

🍚 3 cups sugar
💧 3 cups water
🍋 1 teaspoon lemon juice
🌹 1 teaspoon of rose water (optional)

Instructions

1- Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2- Prepare the Cake Batter:

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until the mixture becomes light and frothy.
• Add in the vanilla extract, oil, and yogurt. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
• Incorporate the unsweetened coconut and baking powder into the mixture.
• Gradually add the fine semolina, stirring continuously until you have a smooth batter.

3- Bake the Cake:

• Pour the batter into a greased baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
• Sprinkle the top with almonds and pistachios.
• Place the dish in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

4- Prepare the Simple Syrup:

• While the cake is baking, combine the sugar, water, lemon juice, and rose water in a saucepan.
• Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 12 minutes, allowing the syrup to thicken slightly.

5- Finish the Cake:

• Once the cake is done baking, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the hot simple syrup evenly over the top.
• Let the syrup soak into the cake as it cools down.

6- Serve and Enjoy:

• Slice the cake into squares or diamonds, and serve warm or at room temperature.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories per Serving: Approximately 400 kcal
Proteins, Fats, and Carbohydrates per Serving:

• Protein: 5g
• Fats: 22g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
  Equipment: Mixing bowls, whisk, spatula, baking dish, saucepan

Cooking Tips:

• For a more aromatic flavor, consider adding a few drops of orange blossom water to the simple syrup.
• Ensure the simple syrup is hot when pouring over the cake to allow it to absorb better.

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Basbosa (Harissa)