Saffron Pistachio Basbousa
Saffron Pistachio Basbousa is a luxurious Middle Eastern dessert that captivates with its rich flavors and delightful textures. This moist semolina cake, infused with aromatic saffron and adorned with crunchy pistachios, is a perfect addition to any festive occasion or cozy gathering. Its simple preparation makes it accessible for bakers of all skill levels, while the stunning presentation will impress guests and family alike. Soak each slice in fragrant saffron syrup for an indulgent treat that melts in your mouth—a dessert that not only looks beautiful but tastes exquisite.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 8 people 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
- 100 g sugar (½ cup)
- 100 ml water (½ cup)
- 1 tsp saffron threads
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch cake pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine semolina, flour, baking powder, cardamom, and cinnamon; set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, and rosewater until smooth.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients; stir gently to combine.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and let sit for about 10 minutes.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown; use a toothpick to check for doneness.
- While baking, prepare syrup by boiling sugar, water, saffron threads, and lemon juice in a saucepan for 5–7 minutes.
- Pour the syrup over the hot basbousa immediately after baking and let soak for about 10 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped pistachios before cutting into squares and serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square piece (80g)
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 60mg