Probably one of THE BEST cakes in the universe! Lemon lavender basbousa, an Arabic cake, is insanely aromatic and divinely delicious! And, EZ!
What is Basbousa
Basbousa is a Middle Eastern sweet cake. It's sometimes called an 'Egyptian Cake'. Sounds pretty exotic, huh?
Arabic Cake
Basbousa is a popular Arabic cake and there are many variations of the recipe and spellings of the name, so don't be confused. I learned about this amazing dessert from an Algerian dear friend whom I met on Facebook.
Basbousa Dessert
My friend, Naima, grew up in Algeria, married an Italian guy and they moved to England. We met on Facebook through our mutual love of food, and, of course, my love of international flavors.
Basbousa Recipe
So, Naima sent me her recipe, and I asked her if she minded if I tweaked it a little. To which she said, "Of course!" You know that's what this basbousa recipe and actually most any recipe is, a starting point for you to adjust and make something you own according to your palate.
Harissa Dessert
Sometimes basbousa is referred to by other names like harissa cake or namoura. It just depends on the are of the Middle East.
Egyptian Cakes
Basbousa is originally an Egyptian cake. And, it's permeated the entire Arabic world and become quite popular as a sweet coffee cake and something special to serve during Ramadan.
Basbousa Recipe Ingredients
Basbousa recipe ingredients are pretty standard. Now a lot of the recipes call for 'semolina' flour. Don't let that confuse or intimidate you, it's basically just a type flour made from durum flour. I think Bob's Red Mill has the best description of semolina.
I usef regular all-purpose flour, and my cakes have been fabulous. I have also used white rice flour, to make it gluten free, and that works well, too!
What is Semolina Flour
As Bob, or whomever, writes:
"Semolina is one of those words that sounds a lot fancier than it actually is, like "taupe" or "hors d'oeuvres." Trust us, start throwing around the word semolina, and everyone in your circles will think you are a professional baker. But first, what exactly is semolina flour? It turns out that semolina is actually a pretty common ingredient, but if you have not heard of it before, do not fret! We have compiled all the information you need to know about semolina: what it is, when to use it, and even how to substitute it if you need! Keep reading to learn all about semolina and our favorite tips and tricks for incorporating it into your daily baking."
How to Make Basbousa
It's so easy to learn how to make basbousa. Honestly, it's one of the easiest cakes on the planet. And, I've had other make the cake. Just check out this version of it from Hotly Spiced
If you want to dazzle your family and friends with your pastry skills, then just make this recipe. We'll keep it a secret as to how dang simple and easy it is!
For a few more easy cake ideas, take a look at these!
Almond Lavender Butter Cookies Lavender and Almond Basbousaxoxo ~ally
