How to Make Basbousa with Semolina: 7 Unmatched Recipes

Basbousa is one of the most beloved Middle Eastern desserts across the Arab world, especially popular during various occasions, such as Ramadan. Recipes vary from region to region, including Egyptian Basbousa and Syrian Basbousa. In this article, we present 7 easy and unique recipes for preparing basbousa with semolina, featuring delightful additions like cream, coconut, and walnuts.

1. Coconut Basbousa

Ingredients:

• 3 cups fine semolina
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 cup melted ghee
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup sugar
• Cold syrup (sharbat)

Instructions:

1. Mix semolina and baking powder in a bowl.
2. Add melted ghee, stir well, then mix in sugar and vanilla.
3. Incorporate yogurt and coconut, blending until smooth.
4. Pour the mixture into a greased tray brushed with a little tahini.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at moderate heat (180°C/350°F) until golden.
6. Remove from the oven, pour cold syrup over it, and sprinkle with extra coconut.

2. Basbousa with Cream and Walnuts

Ingredients:

• 2 cups semolina
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup melted ghee
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Pinch of salt
• Pistachios or almonds for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine semolina, sugar, coconut, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
2. Add melted ghee and mix thoroughly.
3. Stir in yogurt and cream until fully combined.
4. Spread the mixture into a tahini-greased tray.
5. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 30 minutes.
6. Once baked, pour cold syrup over the hot basbousa and garnish with pistachios or almonds.

3. Walnut Basbousa

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fine semolina
• ½ cup melted ghee
• ½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• Cold syrup

Instructions:

1. Mix semolina and baking powder, then add milk and ghee, stirring well.
2. Add ¼ cup of chopped walnuts and mix until smooth.
3. Pour into a ghee-greased tray and top with the remaining walnuts.
4. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 25-30 minutes.
5. Pour cold syrup over the hot basbousa and serve warm.

4. Condensed Milk Basbousa

Ingredients:

• 2 cups semolina
• 100g butter
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup mixed nuts for garnish

Syrup Ingredients:

• 1½ cups water
• 1½ cups sugar
• ½ cup lemon juice
• 1 tbsp corn syrup

Instructions:

1. Mix semolina and coconut in a bowl.
2. Add butter, condensed milk, coconut milk, vanilla, lemon zest, and baking powder, stirring well.
3. Pour into a butter-greased, flour-dusted tray.
4. Bake at 180°C (350°F) until golden.
5. For the syrup: Boil water and sugar until slightly thickened, then add lemon juice and corn syrup.
6. Pour the syrup over the hot basbousa and garnish with nuts.

5. Egyptian Basbousa

Ingredients:

• 2 cups semolina
• 1 cup fine sugar
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 can heavy cream
• ½ cup melted butter
• 2 tbsp shredded coconut
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp vanilla powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Almonds for garnish

Instructions:

1. Mix semolina, sugar, cream, vanilla, and baking powder in a bowl.
2. Add cinnamon, yogurt, coconut, and butter, stirring until smooth.
3. Spread into a greased tray and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 30 minutes.
4. Pour half the syrup over the hot basbousa, cut into squares, and top with almonds.
5. Return to the oven under the broiler to brown the top, then add the remaining syrup and serve.

6. Caramel Basbousa

Ingredients:

• 2 cups semolina
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup oil
• ½ cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Caramel:

• 1 cup sugar
• ¼ cup water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

1. For the caramel: Heat sugar, water, and lemon juice until golden.
2. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
3. Mix semolina, coconut, sugar, oil, milk, eggs, baking powder, and vanilla.
4. Pour into a greased tray and bake for 30-40 minutes.
5. Spread caramel over the top and serve with cream or ice cream.

7. Banana Basbousa

Ingredients:

• 2 cups semolina
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup ghee
• ½ cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 mashed bananas
• Syrup

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Mix semolina, sugar, ghee, milk, eggs, baking powder, vanilla, and mashed bananas.
3. Pour into a greased tray and bake for 30 minutes.
4. Pour syrup over the hot basbousa, cut, and serve.

With these seven recipes, you can enjoy basbousa in a variety of flavors to suit every taste. Try them out and let us know what you think!

Translation Notes:

• The text has been translated into natural, fluent English while preserving the original meaning.
• Measurements and instructions have been standardized for clarity (e.g., “moderate heat” changed to “180°C/350°F”).
• Minor inconsistencies (like repeated titles) were streamlined for a polished finish.