Semolina cake (Basbousa)

A sweet Egyption semolina cake that simply goes in one baking tray, and voila!

Serves 6

Makes about ½ cup

Share

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on pinterest
Share on whatsapp
Share on email

Ingredients:

  • 2 ⅔ cups (500g) semolina flour
  • 2¼ cups (450g) sugar
  • 2 tsp (10ml) baking powder
  • ½ tub (500g) plain double-cream yoghurt 
  • 1 cup (250ml) melted ghee (clarified butter)
  • Almonds

 

Syrup:

  • 2 cups (400g) sugar
  • 2 cups (500ml) water
  • Juice (30ml) of ½ lemon

 

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
  2. Line and grease a 15cm x 25cm baking dish. 
  3. Combine all ingredients and mix to form a thick batter.
  4. Press mixture into baking dish, flattening the top with a spatula. 
  5. Slice cake into squares or diamond shapes and press an almond in the centre of each. 
  6. Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown. 
  7. For syrup, combine all ingredients in a pot over medium heat.
  8. Simmer until sugar is completely dissolved (about 3-4 minutes). 
  9. Pour syrup evenly over cake when it comes out of the oven. 
  10. Set aside for a few minutes for syrup to be absorbed. 
  11. Serve once cooled, topped with a dollop of yoghurt.

 

Cook’s note: Want to make your own clarified butter? Melt butter on the stovetop until completely melted, then scoop off all the white milk solids floating on the top. Remember, you have to melt more butter than the recipe calls for, as you are discarding some of it after melting.

Share

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on pinterest
Share on whatsapp
Share on email

Keep in Touch

We love hearing from you, so follow us on socials.

What's NEW

More of the good stuff

Asian braai veggie platter

The braai gives the vegetables a smokiness, while the sauce gives it an extra flavour punch! This sauce also works well with red meat, chicken and fish.

When we aren’t baking them, we use cookies to improve your experience and to personalise content. By making use of this website, you confirm your acceptance of our Privacy Statement and Cookie Policy, alternatively please manage your preferences via your browser settings.