Basbousa(بسبوسة) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
2 cups semolina
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
sugar syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
lemon, juice of

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
Melt butter, allow to cool to room temperature.
Combine sugar and buttermilk in a large bowl.
Combine the semolina, vanilla, baking powder and baking soda in a separate bowl.
Add semolina mixture to buttermilk mixture, mix well, then add melted butter, and mix well.
Spray an 11x7 inch pan with cooking spray, pour in the mixture; You may also use a 13x9 inch pan, and bake for 25 minutes instead of 30.
Let sit for 20 minutes.
Bake for 30 minutes, pour sugar syrup over it while still warm.
This is usually served with tea or coffee.
------ Sugar Syrup ----------.
Combine sugar, water and juice of half a lemon in a saucepan.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20-25 minutes, mixture should thicken when it cools.