Saffron Pistachio Basbousa Recipe: A Middle Eastern Delight
Saffron Pistachio Basbousa is a luxurious Middle Eastern dessert that perfectly marries the aromatic flavors of saffron with the delightful crunch of pistachios. This moist semolina cake is soaked in a fragrant syrup, creating an indulgent treat that’s ideal for celebrations or casual gatherings. Its golden hue and vibrant toppings make it not only delicious but also visually stunning. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this easy-to-follow recipe will impress your guests and elevate any dining experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
Scale
- 200 g semolina (1 ¼ cups)
- 100 g all-purpose flour (¾ cup)
- 150 g sugar (¾ cup)
- 2 large eggs
- 120 ml whole milk (½ cup)
- 100 g unsalted butter, melted (½ cup)
- 1 tsp saffron threads
- ¼ cup chopped pistachios
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9-inch cake pan.
- In one bowl, mix semolina, flour, baking powder, cardamom, and cinnamon. In another bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, and rosewater until smooth.
- Gradually combine dry ingredients with wet ingredients and pour into the prepared pan.
- Bake for about 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- While baking, prepare the saffron syrup by boiling sugar, water, saffron threads, and lemon juice until slightly thickened.
- Pour warm syrup over the hot cake immediately after baking and let it soak for 10 minutes before garnishing with pistachios.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square piece (85g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 50mg