Basbousa

"Basbousa is a sweet cake made of cooked semolina or farina soaked in simple syrup. It is found in the cuisines of the Eastern Mediterranean under a variety of names." - Wikipedia

My wife made this for a potluck and it was an instant hit. It's sweet but not too sweet... it's light and fluffy too... Try it out...

Makes: 8 in. x 12 in. Loaf
Spice level: --

Preparation time:  25 Mins.
Cook time (incl. Prep. time):  1 Hr.

Ingredients:

1. Unsalted Butter - 1 Cup
2. Sugar - 3/4 Cup
3. Vanilla Extract - 1 Tsp.
4. Eggs - 2
5. Greek Yogurt - 1 Cup
6. Fine semolina - 1 1/2 Cup
7. Baking Powder - 1 Tsp.
8. Baking Soda - 1/2 Tsp.
9. Salt - 1 Pinch
10. Pistachios to garnish

For Syrup:

11. Water - 1 Cup
12. Sugar - 2 Cup
13. Rose Water - 1 Tbsp.

Preparation:

1. Sift together semolina, baking powder and baking soda until well combined and set aside.
2. Beat butter, sugar, vanilla and a pinch of salt until light and fluffy using an electric mixer.
3. Add eggs one at a time and beat until combined.
4. Add yogurt and beat until well blended.
5. Stir in the sifted semolina mix and mix well.
6. Preheat the oven to 350 deg F.
7. Grease a baking pan (8 in. x 12 in.) and line it with parchment paper. Pour the prepared bake mixture to the pan, level the top and bake it for about 35 mins. or until a tooth pick comes out clean while pricked into the center of the cake.
8. Meanwhile prepare the syrup in a sauce pan by boiling water and sugar together. Once the sugar is completely melted get the pan off the flame and stir in the rose water.
9. Pour the syrup evenly over the cake once you get the cake off the oven. Let it cool completely and cut it into square and serve it garnished with pistachios.