BASBOUSA / ARABIC SEMOLINA CAKE

For this month Home bakers challenge Nupur of uk rasoi is hosting and she challenged us with some Arabic desserts. Here in kerala its very difficult to get the arabic ingredients. So i choose simple semolina cake aka basbousa. Basousa is a traditional Arabic sweet cake made with semolina, soaked in sugar syrup. The syrup may optionally contain orange blossom water or rose water. Here i used rose water.

Recipe : The cookie shop
Ingredients :

. Rava / semolina - 2 cup
. Sugar - 1/2 cup
. Coconut - 1/2 cup
. Baking powder - 1/2 tsp
. Butter - 30 g melted
. Milk - 1 cup
. Sugar syrup - 3 tbsp
. Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
. Blanched almonds

For syrup :

. Water - 1 cup
. Sugar - 1 cup
. Lemon juice - 1/2 tsp
. Rose water - 1 tsp

Method :

Make the syrup :

1. In a small sauce pan combine sugar and water. Bring to boil and stirring until it boils. Add lemon juice and boil for 2-3 minutes.

2. Once its cool add rose water and mix well.

Make the cake :

1. Grease the bakin tin with butter and preheat the oven to 200 degree.

2. In a large bowl, combine semolina, sugar, coconut and baking powder. Make a hole in the middle of the ingredients and add butter, syrup and milk gradually. Mix well.

3. Pour the mixture into prepared baking tin, cover and rest for 1-2 hours.

4. With a sharp knife mark squares in the dough, and place almond in each square.

5. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes or until the top light browns.

6. Heat the syrup. Pour the syrup on top of the hot cake and allow to cool completely.