Dessert · Middle Eastern ·

Sweet Egyptian Basbousa with Almond Soaked Syrup

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

4.8(0 reviews)
·By Troy·
Sweet Egyptian Basbousa with Almond Soaked Syrup
Prep
30 min
Cook
1 h 30 min
Difficulty
Intermediate
Serves
4

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Basbousa

  1. 1

    Preheat & Grease Pan

    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.

  2. 2

    Mix Dry Ingredients

    In a large mixing bowl, combine semolina, sugar, shredded coconut, and baking powder.

  3. 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. 1

    Combine Sugar & Water

    In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and water. Stir to dissolve the sugar.

  2. 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. 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. 1

    Mixing

    Combine semolina batter ingredients thoroughly for a consistent texture.

  2. 2

    Baking

    Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Score the surface gently in diamond shapes.

  3. 3

    Finishing

    Once baked and golden brown, pour the cooled almond syrup over the hot basbousa to allow it to soak in.

Chef's Tips

    Frequently asked questions

    Explore more from TastyFood

    Looking for something different? Browse by category.