Saffron Pistachio Basbousa
Saffron Pistachio Basbousa is an indulgent Middle Eastern dessert that combines the exotic flavors of saffron and the crunch of pistachios into a moist semolina cake. This delightful treat is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or enjoying a quiet evening at home. The recipe is remarkably simple, making it accessible even for novice bakers, while its stunning appearance and rich flavor profile will impress your family and friends. Prepare it ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld, or serve it warm drizzled with fragrant saffron syrup for an unforgettable dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 12 slices 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
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
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, mix semolina, flour, baking powder, cardamom, and cinnamon.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, and rosewater until smooth.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients while stirring gently until well combined.
- Pour the batter into a prepared cake pan and let it rest for about 10 minutes.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
- While the cake bakes, prepare saffron syrup by simmering sugar, water, saffron threads, and lemon juice in a saucepan for about 5-7 minutes.
- Pour hot syrup over the cake immediately after baking.
- Garnish with chopped pistachios before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 90g)
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg