Heavenly Basboosa Delight
Indulge in the rich, aromatic flavors of my Heavenly Basboosa Delight, a refined take on the traditional Arabic semolina cake. After blending elements from various basboosa recipes, I've crafted a dessert that's uniquely silky with a delicate balance of sweetness. This delightful cake is neither grainy nor overly dense; instead, it boasts a perfectly moist texture that's simply irresistible. Ideal for any occasion—be it a children's party, adult gathering, or festive celebration—this versatile dessert can be prepared a day in advance to intensify its flavors. Whether served as a sweet treat or a luxurious end to a meal, your compliments and appreciation will surely be many. Quick and easy to make, this recipe guarantees you can impress without the stress!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Sugar
2 cups (For syrup)
Water
2 cups (For syrup)
Lime zest
1 medium (Used for syrup)
Lemon zest
1 medium (Used for syrup)
Rose essence or rose water
1 teaspoon (For syrup)
Honey
3 teaspoons (For syrup)
Semolina (cream of wheat)
3 cups (For cake)
Flour
1/2 cup (For cake)
White sugar
1 cup (For cake)
Eggs
3 (For cake)
Lemon or lime juice
1 cup (Soured milk (squeeze into milk))
Soured milk
1 cup (Mix lemon or lime juice into regular milk)
Butter
16 tablespoons (Softened, for cake)
Baking powder
1/2 teaspoon (For cake)
Whole almonds
as needed (For garnishing)
Unsalted pistachios
as needed (Crushed, for garnishing)
Instructions
1
Prepare the syrup: In a medium-sized pot, combine the sugar, water, lime zest, lemon zest, and honey. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, stir in the rose essence (or rose water). Allow to boil gently until it forms a thin syrup, ensuring it doesn't reduce too much. Remove from heat and let it cool while you prepare the cake.
2
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and grease a baking dish.
3
In a mixing bowl, soften the butter and then mix it with the sugar using a fork or potato masher—avoid using electric mixers to keep the mixture airy yet firm. The butter should be creamy, not melted.
4
Add the eggs into the butter-sugar mixture and blend thoroughly.
5
Sift together the semolina, flour, and baking powder in a separate bowl, then gradually incorporate this dry mixture into the wet mixture, mixing until well combined.
6
Finally, stir in the soured milk until the mixture is smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, ensuring it’s no more than 1 inch high.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the cake from the oven and cut it into squares according to your preferred size. Place it back in the oven and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
8
Once baked, take out the cake and evenly pour the prepared sugar syrup over it, making sure all pieces are infused. Allow the cake to cool completely.
9
For garnish, crush the pistachios and sprinkle them over the cooled cake. Place a whole almond on each square before serving.
10
Note: This cake tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for preparing in advance.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Heavenly Basboosa Delight?
It is a refined version of the traditional Arabic semolina cake that is uniquely silky, moist, and aromatic.
What ingredients are used for the syrup?
The syrup consists of 2 cups of sugar, 2 cups of water, lime zest, lemon zest, honey, and rose essence or rose water.
How do I prepare the syrup for the Basboosa?
Combine sugar, water, lime zest, lemon zest, and honey in a pot; bring to a boil, stir in rose essence, and allow to cool.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (165 degrees Celsius).
Why shouldn't I use an electric mixer for the butter and sugar?
Using a fork or potato masher instead of an electric mixer keeps the mixture airy yet firm.
Should the butter be melted for the cake mixture?
No, the butter should be softened and creamy, not melted.
What is soured milk and how do I make it?
Soured milk is regular milk mixed with lemon or lime juice; use 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of juice for this recipe.
What type of flour is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of semolina (cream of wheat) and 1/2 cup of regular flour.
How many eggs are used in the Heavenly Basboosa Delight?
The recipe requires 3 eggs to be blended into the butter-sugar mixture.
How long should the cake bake initially?
The cake should bake for an initial 20 minutes before being removed from the oven for cutting.
When should I cut the Basboosa into squares?
Remove the cake after the first 20 minutes of baking, cut it into squares, and then return it to the oven.
How much longer does the cake bake after it has been cut?
Bake it for an additional 5 to 10 minutes after cutting into squares.
How high should the batter be in the baking dish?
Ensure the batter is poured no more than 1 inch high in the greased baking dish.
When do I apply the sugar syrup to the cake?
Pour the prepared syrup evenly over the cake immediately once it is taken out of the oven after the final bake.
What should I use for garnishing the cake?
Use crushed unsalted pistachios and whole almonds for the garnish.
Does the flavor of the Basboosa change over time?
Yes, the cake tastes even better the next day as the flavors intensify.
Is this recipe suitable for children's parties?
Yes, it is ideal for children's parties, adult gatherings, and festive celebrations.
What are the dry ingredients that need to be sifted?
Sift together the semolina, flour, and baking powder before adding them to the wet ingredients.
What is the texture of this specific Basboosa recipe?
It is perfectly moist and silky, avoiding the grainy or overly dense texture common in other recipes.
How much honey is added to the syrup?
The syrup recipe includes 3 teaspoons of honey.
Can I use rose water instead of rose essence?
Yes, you can use 1 teaspoon of either rose essence or rose water for the syrup.
How much butter is needed for the cake?
The recipe calls for 16 tablespoons of softened butter.
Is this recipe quick to prepare?
Yes, the recipe is designed to be quick and easy to make.
Where should the almonds be placed?
Place one whole almond on each individual square of the cake before serving.
Do I need to grease the baking dish?
Yes, you must grease the baking dish before pouring in the batter.
What provides the citrus note in the syrup?
The zest of one medium lime and one medium lemon provides the citrus flavor in the syrup.
How much sugar goes into the cake batter itself?
One cup of white sugar is used in the cake batter.
How much baking powder is required?
The recipe requires 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder.
Does the syrup need to be thick?
No, it should form a thin syrup and should not be allowed to reduce too much.
When should the pistachios be added?
Sprinkle the crushed pistachios over the cake after it has been infused with syrup and cooled.