Sweet Egyptian Basbousa with Almond Soaked Syrup
Basbousa is a traditional Egyptian dessert made with semolina and coconut, soaked in an aromatic almond syrup.

Preparation
Get these tasks done before you start cooking.
Preparing the Basbousa
- 1
Preheat & Grease Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- 2
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine semolina, sugar, shredded coconut, and baking powder.
- 3
Add Wet Ingredients
Stir in the yogurt, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined and a thick batter forms.
Preparing the Almond Syrup
- 1
Combine Sugar & Water
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and water. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
- 2
Simmer Mixture
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Add lemon juice and let it thicken slightly for about 10 minutes.
- 3
Finalize Syrup
Remove from heat, then stir in almond extract and sliced almonds. Allow to cool.
Tip: Ensure the almond syrup is cool before pouring over warm basbousa to maintain a tender texture. Pro Tip: Toast sliced almonds slightly before adding them to the syrup for a deeper flavor.
How to Make Sweet Egyptian Basbousa with Almond Soaked Syrup
Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings
- 1
Mixing
Combine semolina batter ingredients thoroughly for a consistent texture.
- 2
Baking
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Score the surface gently in diamond shapes.
- 3
Finishing
Once baked and golden brown, pour the cooled almond syrup over the hot basbousa to allow it to soak in.
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