Baseema - Coconut Cake

posted on: Jan 5, 2025

By: Habeeb Salloum/Arab America Contributing Writer

Baseema is a traditional Sudanese cake that has its culinary cousins in the basbousa of Egypt and the harisat al-lawz or nammura of Syria, Lebanon and Palestine.

Its flavour is enhanced even further when served with ice cream.  

Makes about 20 pieces

4 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup butter, melted            
1 cup plain yogurt
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut 

1/3 cup 10% cream (light cream)
2 cups sugar

1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon orange blossom water

            Preheat oven to 325° F.

In a food processor place eggs, butter, yogurt, baking powder, flour, vanilla, coconut, cream and 1 cup of the sugar then process into a smooth batter.   Place batter in a 9X13 greased pan then bake for 1 hour.

            In the meantime, in a saucepan, place remainder of sugar and water, and stirring a number of times bring to a boil.  Stir in lemon juice and orange blossom water then boil for a few minutes and set aside 

            Remove cake from oven and immediately spoon syrup evenly over top, then serve warm. 

Check out Arab America’s blog here!