Basbousa with Semoline and Lemon Syrup

Ingredients:
1. Syrup Ingredients
2. 2 1/4 cups sugar
3. 1 1/2 cups water
4. juice from 1 lemon (or 2 tablespoons orange juice)
5. 1 teaspoon honey(optional)
6. ------------------------------------
7. Cake Ingredients
8. 2 cups semolina
9. 1 cup sugar
10. 1 stick butter, softened
11. 1 cup whole milk
12. 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
13. 1 tablespoon baking powder
14. 1 tablespoon baking soda
15. 2 eggs
16. blanched split almonds
17. whipped cream (optional)


Preparation:
Prepare syrup first. Dissolve sugar in water in a medium saucepan. Add lemon juice and bring to a boil. Once the syrup begins to boil, add in honey. Reduce heat and allow to slowly boil for about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour a 9x12 baking dish.


Cream together butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add eggs and vanilla.


In a separate bowl, combine semolina, baking powder, and baking soda. Slowly add to butter and egg mixture. Stir in milk.


Pour mixture into baking dish and smooth with spoon.


Take a butter knife and make diagonal lines from left to right and complete to make diamond shapes. Place an almond in the center of each diamond. Bake for 25 minutes.