Basbousa Bel Ashta (Semolina Cake With Ashta Cream Filling)

Name: Basbousa Bel Ashta (Semolina Cake With Ashta Cream Filling)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: For the Ashta (Cream Filling):; 1 cup (237ml) whole milk; 1 cup (237ml) heavy cream; 2 tablespoons (16g) cornstarch; 2 tablespoons (16g) all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon (15g) granulated sugar; 2 mastic resins, crushed (about 1/2 teaspoon), see note; 1/4 cup cream cheese (2 ounces; 55g); 1 teaspoon (5ml) rose water; For the Simple Syrup:; 1 cup (237ml) water; 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar; One 1 1/2–inch strip navel orange rind; 3 cardamom pods, bruised; One 3-inch cinnamon stick; 2 whole cloves; 1 teaspoon (5ml) orange blossom water; For the Basbousa Bel Ashta:; Unsalted butter, softened, for preparing the pan; All-purpose flour, for preparing the pan; 1 cup coarse semolina (5.5 ounces; 156g); 1/2 cup granulated sugar (3.5 ounces; 100g); 1/2 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use half as much by volume; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/8 teaspoon baking soda; 1 cup plain whole milk yogurt (8.3 ounces; 235g); 3 large eggs, at room temperature (6 ounces; 170g); 1 tablespoon orange zest (from 2 medium oranges), finely grated; 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract; 3/4 cup (177ml) canola or other neutral oil

Prep Time

20m

Cook Time

Total Time

1h 20m

This Basbousa Bel Ashta recipe features a moist semolina cake filled with a decadent cream filling and finished with a fragrant, sweet orange blossom water syrup. With a hint of mastic resin and rose water, this Middle Eastern dessert is perfect for special occasions or to satisfy a sweet tooth.

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