Egypt

EGYPT: Basbousa (Almond, Coconut, Semolina Cake with yogurt)

Recommend by by Jack and Tom. This is a sweet one…really sweet!

INGREDIENTS:

10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus additional soft butter for greasing the pan
1 cup sugar
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup fine semolina plus 1 cup coarse semolina (or 2 cups coarse semolina or 2 cups original Cream of Wheat enriched farina)
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
1½ cup sugar
1¾ cup water
1 cinnamon stick
¼ teaspoon lemon juice
¼ cup sweetened shredded coconut or coconut chips
¼ cup sliced almonds

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9″ round cake pan (not glass) and line the bottom with parchment.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and yogurt. Stir in the semolina, milk, and baking powder. Slowly stir in the melted butter. Let the mixture stand until the butter is absorbed.

Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a skewer withdraws clean. (If necessary, broil briefly to brown the top.)

Meanwhile, while the cake bakes, prepare the cinnamon simple syrup. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Turn heat to low and let simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice. Cool completely. Discard the cinnamon stick.

As soon as the cake is removed from the oven, pour the syrup on the hot cake. Let cool completely. (Syrup must be fully absorbed into the cake.)

Top the basbousa with the coconut and shaved almonds. Slice and serve.