Golden Greek Honey Pie (Melopita) Recipe
Golden Greek Honey Pie, known as Melopita, is a luscious layered dessert featuring crisp phyllo dough filled with a creamy semolina custard, delicately spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, and finished with a drizzle of warm honey and toasted sesame seeds. This traditional Greek treat offers a delightful balance of buttery crispness and sweet aromatic flavors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients
Scale
Phyllo Layers
- 8 sheets of phyllo dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
Custard Filling
- 1 cup semolina flour
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Topping
- 1/2 cup honey, warmed
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Assemble Phyllo Base: Lay one sheet of phyllo dough flat into the prepared baking dish and brush it generously with melted butter, ensuring even coverage. Repeat this process for 6 more sheets, layering each carefully and brushing with butter between sheets to create a rich, flaky base.
- Mix Custard Filling: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the semolina flour, eggs, granulated sugar, whole milk, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Pour Filling: Pour the prepared custard mixture evenly over the phyllo base in the baking dish, spreading gently if necessary to cover the surface.
- Top Phyllo Layers: Place the remaining one sheet of phyllo dough on top of the custard layer. Brush this top layer with melted butter. Gently score the top with a knife to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Bake the Pie: Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is fully set and firm to the touch.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes to set before serving.
- Add Honey and Sesame: Drizzle the warmed honey evenly over the warm pie, then sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds on top for added flavor and texture.
- Serve: Slice the pie and serve warm or at room temperature for the best texture and flavor experience.
Notes
- Make sure to brush each phyllo sheet thoroughly with melted butter to ensure crisp, flaky layers.
- Warming the honey before drizzling helps it spread more evenly across the pie.
- Use fresh toasted sesame seeds for an enhanced nutty flavor and crunch.
- Allow the pie to cool slightly before slicing to prevent the custard from spilling.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and consume within 2-3 days for optimal freshness.
Keywords: Melopita, Greek honey pie, phyllo dessert, semolina custard pie, Greek dessert recipe, honey drizzled pie
