We met a lady who was from Sudan. I liked her. She gave me this dessert recipe to try and it was good! It is sticky and sweet. She said it was one of the favorite desserts of people in Sudan.
She was fun to talk to. I hope that I can meet her again sometime.
Basboosa
Syrup Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
- juice from 1 lemon (or 2 tablespoons orange juice)
- 1 teaspoon honey(optional)
Cake Ingredients
- 2 cups semolina
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 2 eggs
- blanched split almonds
Prepare syrup first. Dissolve sugar in water in a medium saucepan. Add lemon juice and bring to a boil. Once the syrup begins to boil, add in honey. Reduce heat and allow to slowly boil for about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour a 9×12 baking dish.
Cream together butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add eggs and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine semolina, baking powder, and baking soda. Slowly add to butter and egg mixture. Stir in milk.
Pour mixture into baking dish and smooth with spoon.
Take a butter knife and make diagonal lines from left to right and complete to make diamond shapes. Place an almond in the center of each diamond. Bake for 25 minutes.
Remove cake from oven and pour syrup over cake until no more can be absorbed. Allow to cool for 20 minutes. (Is never served warm…sitting even a day is fine!)