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Delicious basbousa slices topped with almonds, perfect for dessert lovers.

Syrup-soaked semolina cake with almonds

Basbousa

Basbousa

40 minEasy

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

30 min

Total Time

40 min

Servings

8

16 pieces

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

$

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Basbousa

Syrup-soaked semolina cake with almonds

A soft, moist semolina cake soaked in fragrant sugar syrup and topped with blanched almonds. This beloved Middle Eastern dessert is sweet, tender, and drenched in floral syrup.

10m

Prep Time

30m

Cook Time

40m

Total Time

8

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Mediterranean CuisineDessertVegetarian
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

May 19, 2023(Updated April 13, 2026)

Basbousa is one of the easiest and most rewarding Middle Eastern desserts—a one-bowl semolina cake that soaks up syrup to become impossibly moist. Every country in the region has its own version.

Why This Recipe Works

Semolina gives basbousa its characteristic slightly grainy, tender texture. Pouring syrup over the hot cake allows it to absorb evenly for consistent sweetness in every bite.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fine semolina
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup yogurt
  • 1/2 cup melted butter or oil
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • Blanched almonds for topping and syrup (1 cup sugar, 3/4 cup water, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp rosewater)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Make syrup first: boil sugar and water with lemon juice for 8 minutes. Add rosewater and cool completely.

  2. 2

    Mix semolina, sugar, yogurt, melted butter, baking powder, and 1/2 cup milk or coconut milk until combined.

  3. 3

    Let batter rest 20 minutes for the semolina to hydrate.

  4. 4

    Spread in a buttered 9x13 pan. Score into diamonds and press an almond into each piece.

  5. 5

    Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until golden. Pour cold syrup over the hot cake immediately. Let soak 30 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping

  • Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil

  • Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette

  • Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream

Substitutions

Fine semolinaCoarse semolina

Grainier texture, equally traditional

YogurtCoconut cream

Makes it dairy-free and adds richness

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Olive Oil

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the olive oil matters

On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.

This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.

  • Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
  • Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure

A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.

Shop olive oil for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Let the batter rest before baking so the semolina absorbs moisture and bakes evenly.

  • Score before baking for clean diamond shapes.

Storage

Cover and store at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate for 1 week.

Reheating

Best at room temperature. Microwave briefly if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (20mg) · 8 servings

Calories310
LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein4g
Carbohydrates10g
Fat52g
Fiber200mg
Sugar1g
Sodium32g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my basbousa dry?
It needed more syrup, or the semolina batter didn't rest long enough to hydrate.
Can I make it vegan?
Yes, use coconut yogurt, oil instead of butter, and plant milk.

Explore More

More Mediterranean RecipesMore DessertVegetarian RecipesOven RecipesBaking Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

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