Description
This traditional Farina Basbousa Recipe with Yogurt is a soft, moist, and delicious Middle Eastern semolina cake soaked in fragrant syrup. Made with simple ingredients like farina, yogurt, and coconut, this cake has a tender texture and a perfect balance of sweetness. Whether served warm or at room temperature, this dessert is a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups coarse semolina (or farina)
- 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup melted butter or ghee
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup shredded coconut (optional)
- ½ cup whole almonds (for topping)
- For the syrup:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon rose water or orange blossom water (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or tahini paste.
- In a large bowl, combine semolina, sugar, baking powder, and shredded coconut. Mix well.
- Add melted butter or ghee to the dry ingredients and mix until the semolina is fully coated.
- Stir in the plain whole-milk yogurt and mix until a thick batter forms.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish and score the surface into squares or diamonds. Place an almond in the center of each piece.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
- While the basbousa bakes, prepare the syrup by combining sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened. Add rose water or orange blossom water if using.
- Remove the basbousa from the oven and immediately pour the warm syrup over the hot cake. Let it absorb for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Cut along the scored lines and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For extra moisture, let the syrup absorb overnight before serving.
- You can replace semolina with farina for a softer texture.
- To make a vegan version, use coconut yogurt and swap butter for coconut oil.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Middle Eastern Recipes, Sweet Treats
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: farina basbousa recipe with yogurt, semolina cake, Middle Eastern dessert, basbousa with yogurt, Egyptian basbousa, easy basbousa recipe, yogurt semolina cake