Orange and Coconut Basbousa

Orange and Coconut Basbousa is a easy Middle Eastern recipe that serves 8. 250 calories per serving. Recipe by Oum Arwa on YouTube.

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 35 min | Total: 55 min

Cost: $5.97 total, $0.75 per serving

Ingredients

  • 3 pcs eggs (medium size)
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 15 g baking powder
  • 1 orange orange zest (finely grated zest)
  • 40 g grated coconut (very fine grated)
  • 100 g granulated sugar
  • 1 sachet vanilla sugar
  • 125 g plain yogurt
  • 110 g sunflower oil (weighed or 110 ml)
  • 200 g medium semolina
  • 200 ml fresh orange juice (juice of 2 oranges)
  • 20 g sliced almonds (optional, for decoration)
  • 20 g toasted coconut (optional, for decoration)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven and prepare the pan

    Preheat the oven to 180°C on convection mode. Lightly grease the pan with a drizzle of oil and sprinkle a little semolina to prevent the cake from sticking.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: 180°C

  2. Mix the eggs, sugar and salt

    In the bowl, crack the 3 eggs, add the granulated sugar, the vanilla sugar and a pinch of salt. Beat with a whisk for about 1 minute until the sugar begins to dissolve.

    Time: PT2M

  3. Incorporate the oil, yogurt and aromatics

    Pour the sunflower oil, the plain yogurt, the orange zest and the grated coconut. Mix gently until you obtain a homogeneous batter.

    Time: PT3M

  4. Add the semolina and baking powder

    Fold in the medium semolina and the baking powder. Mix quickly to avoid the leavening losing its effect.

    Time: PT2M

  5. Pour the batter into the pan

    Transfer the batter into the previously greased pan and smooth the surface with the spatula.

    Time: PT2M

  6. Bake

    Place the cake in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until it is golden and a knife inserted comes out clean.

    Time: PT30M

    Temperature: 180°C

  7. Prepare the orange juice

    While baking, squeeze two oranges to obtain about 200 ml of fresh juice.

    Time: PT5M

  8. Soak the cake

    When removed from the oven, the cake is still very hot. Pour the orange juice evenly over the entire surface so it soaks in.

    Time: PT2M

  9. Decorate (optional)

    Scatter sliced almonds and toasted coconut to add crunch and enhance the coconut flavor.

    Time: PT3M

  10. Cool and serve

    Let the basbousa cool completely on a rack before cutting into squares or diamonds. Serve with mint tea.

    Time: PT10M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
250
Protein
3 g
Carbohydrates
35 g
Fat
10 g
Fiber
1 g

Dietary info: vegetarian, contains gluten, contains dairy, low-calorie

Allergens: eggs, gluten, coconut, almonds (if used)

Last updated: April 7, 2026

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Orange and Coconut Basbousa

Recipe by Oum Arwa

A moist semolina cake flavored with orange zest and coconut, very easy to prepare. Ideal for a snack or to accompany mint tea.

EasyMiddle EasternServes 8

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
34m
Prep
30m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 14m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$5.97
Total cost
$0.75
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C
  • Grease the pan to prevent the cake from sticking
  • Precise baking of 30‑35 minutes
  • Soak the hot cake with orange juice
  • Let cool completely before cutting

Safety Warnings

  • Handle the hot oven with kitchen gloves.
  • Hot orange juice can cause burns; pour it slowly.

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