Coconut Basbousa

Coconut Basbousa is a sweet, semolina-based cake popular across the Middle East and North Africa, often soaked in a fragrant syrup. Its key ingredients include semolina, coconut, yogurt or milk, and a sweet syrup infused with rose water or orange blossom water. It is a beloved dessert known for its moist, tender texture and tropical coconut flavor.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dessert is high in carbohydrates and fat, primarily from the semolina, sugar syrup, and coconut. A typical serving provides a quick energy boost, along with some dietary fiber and minerals like iron from the semolina, and contains roughly 300-400 calories.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	350 kcal
Protein	5 g
Carbs	50 g
Fat	15 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	30 g
Sodium	120 mg
Iron	2 mg
Manganese	0.8 mg
Phosphorus	90 mg
Magnesium	25 mg
Selenium	8 mcg
Thiamin (B1)	0.15 mg
Folate	30 mcg
Copper	0.15 mg

Per 1 piece (100 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, Basbousa is a festive staple often served during Ramadan and celebrations, with regional variations like 'Namoura' in Lebanon. Nutritionally, the use of semolina (a durum wheat product) offers a slightly different texture and nutrient profile compared to flour-based cakes.