Basboosa (Syrupy-Sweet Cake-Like Bars)

Ingredients

• •1 1/2 cups semolina, farina or Cream of Wheat
• •1/2 cup desiccated coconut
• •2 tablespoons baking powder
• •1/2 cup liquefied butter or margarine
• •2 eggs
• •1/2 cup sugar
• •1/2 cup plain yogurt, or canned thickening cream
• •1 teaspoon pineapple flavoring or vanilla flavoring (optional)
• •almonds, pistachios or cashew nuts (optional)
• •Syrup:
• •½ cup water
• •¾ cup sugar
• •Juice of ½ lemon

Directions

1. 1In a large bowl mix the semolina, coconut and baking powder. Knead in the liquid butter until it is well distributed.
2. 2In a blender (or with a mixer or hand beater) blend the eggs, sugar, yogurt and flavoring.
3. 3Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture. Stir with a spoon until combined and pour immediately into a 9 by 13 inch ungreased cake pan.
4. 4If desired, decorate the top of the batter with the nuts so that there will be one nut in the middle of each piece (which is cut when removed from the oven). Bake in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven until done and nicely browned.
5. 5Combine the ingredients for the syrup and allow them to boil for 5 minutes.
6. 6Over the hot cake pour cool syrup. Allow to sit to absorb the syrup for a half an hour. Cut, eat and enjoy.