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Saffron Pistachio Basbousa

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  • Author: mohamed
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A delightful Middle Eastern sweet made with semolina and flavored with saffron and pistachios, perfect for family gatherings and special occasions.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 200 g semolina (1 ¼ cups)
  • 100 g all-purpose flour (¾ cup)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 150 g sugar (¾ cup)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 120 ml whole milk (½ cup)
  • 100 g unsalted butter, melted (½ cup)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp rosewater
  • ¼ cup chopped pistachios for topping
  • 100 g sugar (½ cup) for the syrup
  • 100 ml water (½ cup) for the syrup
  • 1 tsp saffron threads
  • 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Grease and line a 9-inch cake pan with parchment paper.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together semolina, flour, baking powder, cardamom, and cinnamon. Set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, and rosewater until smooth.
  5. Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, folding gently until combined.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and let it rest for 10 minutes.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
  8. While the cake bakes, prepare the syrup by combining sugar, water, saffron, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
  9. Once the cake is done, pour the saffron syrup over it while hot and let soak for 10 minutes.
  10. Garnish with chopped pistachios, cut into squares, and serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

This basbousa can be made a day in advance. For variations, try using different nuts or adding dried fruits.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 275
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 41g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 50mg