Perfectly Moist Basboosa – Traditional Semolina Cake
Basboosa, also known as Hareeseh or Revani, is a delightful Middle Eastern dessert that has captured hearts and taste buds across North Africa and the Arab world. This easy-to-follow recipe, passed down from my mother, features a soft and moist semolina cake soaked in a sweet syrup infused with vanilla and citrus. The combination of texture and flavor makes it a perfect treat for any occasion, from family gatherings to festive celebrations. No need for complicated techniques – just simple ingredients and a love for baking. Slice it up and share with loved ones for a sweet experience!
9-12 servings
Servings
300
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
semolina flour
1 cup (dry)
yogurt
1 cup (plain, unsweetened)
sugar
1 cup (for the cake)
butter
1 cup (melted)
baking powder
2 tablespoons (dry)
eggs
2 (beaten)
sugar
3 cups (for the syrup)
water
1 cup (for syrup)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (liquid)
lemon or lime
1/2 piece (juiced and squeezed)
cinnamon stick
1 (whole)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9 x 13 inch baking pan by brushing it with a light coat of oil.
2
In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the semolina flour, sugar, and baking powder until evenly mixed.
3
Melt the butter and incorporate it into the flour mixture, stirring until well blended.
4
Fold in the yogurt, mixing until the batter is smooth and homogenous.
5
Add the beaten eggs into the mixture and stir well until fully incorporated.
6
Beat the mixture for approximately 2 minutes to ensure there are no lumps, resulting in a smooth batter.
7
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
8
Place the pan in the center of the preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes or until the surface is golden brown.
9
While the cake bakes, prepare the syrup: In a medium pot, combine 3 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water. Heat on high and bring to a boil.
10
Once boiling, add the vanilla extract and the cinnamon stick, stirring to combine.
11
Squeeze half a lemon or lime into the syrup mixture, and then add the squeezed lemon or lime for extra flavor.
12
Let the syrup boil for 1 minute, then remove it from the heat and set aside to cool.
13
When the cake is a beautiful golden color and has baked for about 45 minutes, remove it from the oven and let it cool for approximately 5 minutes.
14
Pour the prepared syrup evenly over the warm cake, allowing it to soak up all the sweet goodness.
15
Once cooled, cut the cake into squares or rectangles, as desired, and enjoy with family and friends!
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
45g
Carbs
2.5g
Protein
35g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Basboosa?
Basboosa is a traditional Middle Eastern semolina cake that is soft, moist, and soaked in a sweet citrus-infused syrup.
What are other names for Basboosa?
This dessert is also commonly known as Hareeseh or Revani in various parts of North Africa and the Arab world.
What oven temperature is required for baking Basboosa?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) for the best results.
What size baking pan should I use?
This recipe is designed for a 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
How do I prepare the baking pan?
Prepare the pan by brushing it with a light coat of oil to prevent the cake from sticking.
What kind of flour is used in Basboosa?
The primary flour used in this recipe is semolina flour, which gives the cake its signature texture.
How do I incorporate the butter into the batter?
Melt one cup of butter and stir it into the mixture of semolina flour, sugar, and baking powder until well blended.
What type of yogurt is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for one cup of plain, unsweetened yogurt to be folded into the batter.
How long should I beat the batter?
Beat the mixture for approximately 2 minutes to ensure all lumps are removed and the batter is smooth.
How long does the cake need to bake?
Bake the cake for about 45 minutes or until the surface reaches a beautiful golden brown color.
What are the ingredients for the sugar syrup?
The syrup consists of 3 cups of sugar, 1 cup of water, vanilla extract, a cinnamon stick, and lemon or lime juice.
How do I flavor the syrup?
Flavor the syrup by adding vanilla extract, a whole cinnamon stick, and the juice and rind of half a lemon or lime.
How long should the syrup boil?
Once the syrup reaches a boil and ingredients are added, let it boil for exactly 1 minute before removing from heat.
Should the syrup be hot when poured over the cake?
The syrup should be set aside to cool while the cake finishes baking, then poured over the warm cake.
How long should the cake cool before adding syrup?
Let the cake cool for approximately 5 minutes after removing it from the oven before pouring the syrup over it.
How should Basboosa be served?
Once cooled and the syrup is absorbed, cut the cake into squares or rectangles and serve.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 9 to 12 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
How much sugar is in one serving?
There are 35 grams of sugar per serving of Basboosa.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains about 15 grams of fat.
How many eggs are needed for this recipe?
You will need 2 beaten eggs to be incorporated into the batter.
Can I use lime instead of lemon for the syrup?
Yes, you can use either half a lemon or half a lime for the citrus flavor in the syrup.
How much protein is in a serving of Basboosa?
Each serving provides approximately 2.5 grams of protein.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 45 grams of carbohydrates in each serving.
Does the recipe include cinnamon?
Yes, a whole cinnamon stick is used to infuse the syrup with flavor.
What is the total number of ingredients used?
The recipe uses 11 simple ingredients including the cake and syrup components.
Is the batter supposed to be smooth?
Yes, you should mix until the batter is smooth and homogenous with no visible lumps.
Where is this dessert most popular?
It is highly popular across the Middle East, North Africa, and the Arab world.
Is this recipe considered easy to follow?
Yes, it is described as an easy-to-follow family recipe that requires no complicated techniques.
Can this cake be served at festive celebrations?
Absolutely, its sweet flavor and moist texture make it a perfect treat for family gatherings and festive occasions.