Golden Greek Honey (Melopita) Recipe
Golden Greek Honey (Melopita) is a traditional Greek dessert featuring layers of crisp phyllo dough filled with a creamy, spiced semolina custard. Baked to a golden brown and topped with warm honey and toasted sesame seeds, this delightful treat combines a perfect balance of sweet and aromatic flavors, making it an irresistible comfort dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Phyllo Base
- 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). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy pie removal.
- Layer Phyllo Base: Lay one sheet of phyllo dough in the prepared dish and brush it generously with melted butter. Repeat this process with six more sheets, stacking each layer neatly and brushing with butter in between to create a rich, flaky crust.
- Make Custard Filling: In a mixing bowl, whisk together semolina flour, eggs, granulated sugar, whole milk, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. This will form the spiced custard base of the pie.
- Assemble Filling: Pour the semolina custard mixture evenly over the stacked phyllo layers in the baking dish, allowing it to settle smoothly over the base.
- Top with Remaining Phyllo: Place the final phyllo sheet on top of the custard filling. Brush it with melted butter, and if desired, lightly score the surface with a knife to create portions and allow steam to escape while baking.
- Bake: Bake the assembled pie in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set and firm to the touch.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove from oven and let the pie cool for about 10 minutes. Drizzle the warmed honey evenly over the top and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.
- Serve: Slice and serve the Melopita warm or at room temperature for the best taste and texture experience.
Notes
- Be sure to handle phyllo dough carefully as it is very delicate and dries out quickly—cover unused sheets with a damp towel.
- Warming the honey before drizzling helps it spread evenly and soak slightly into the warm pie.
- Scoring the top layer of phyllo before baking helps prevent cracking and makes serving easier.
- To toast sesame seeds, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat and stir frequently until golden and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- This dessert can be refrigerated and gently reheated before serving.
Keywords: Greek dessert, Melopita, honey pie, semolina custard pie, phyllo dough recipe, traditional Greek sweets, baked custard dessert
