Description
Golden Greek Honey Pie, known as Melopita, is a traditional Greek dessert featuring a creamy ricotta or Greek yogurt filling sweetened with honey and subtly spiced with cinnamon. Baked in a flaky pie crust or layered phyllo dough, it offers a perfect balance of sweetness and richness, finished with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon for an authentic Mediterranean treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Pie Crust
- 1 package pre-made pie crust (or homemade, if preferred)
- Alternatively, use phyllo dough for a crispier, flakier texture
Filling
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
- 1/2 cup honey (preferably Greek honey for authentic flavor)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup milk (whole milk or any milk of your choice)
For Topping
- Ground cinnamon, for sprinkling
- Honey, for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Place the pre-made pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish. If using phyllo dough, butter or oil each sheet and layer it carefully in the pie dish, pressing down the edges to form a base.
- Make the filling: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese (or Greek yogurt), honey, eggs, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, flour, and milk. Whisk the mixture thoroughly until smooth and well combined ensuring no lumps remain.
- Assemble the pie: Pour the prepared filling into the pie crust. When using phyllo dough, neatly fold the edges of the dough over the top of the filling to encase it slightly.
- Bake the pie: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the pie for 30 to 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the filling is set. The center should be firm yet retain a slight wobble to indicate perfect doneness.
- Cool and chill: Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool to room temperature. Then, refrigerate the pie for at least 1 hour to let the filling fully set and develop flavor.
- Serve: Before serving, drizzle the pie with extra honey and sprinkle ground cinnamon on top. Slice into portions and enjoy your delicious, creamy Greek honey pie.
Notes
- Substitute ricotta cheese with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier version.
- Using phyllo dough will create a crispier, flakier crust compared to a standard pie crust.
- Make sure not to overbake the pie to retain a creamy, delicate texture.
- Chilling for at least 1 hour enhances the flavor and firmness of the filling.
- Using Greek honey enhances the authentic flavor profile of this traditional dessert.
