Golden Greek Honey Pie (Melopita) Recipe
Experience the delightful flavors of Golden Greek Honey Pie, also known as Melopita, a luscious and traditional Greek dessert made with creamy ricotta cheese, fragrant honey, and a touch of citrus zest. This easy-to-make pie bakes to a golden perfection with a rich, silky texture that’s enhanced by aromatic vanilla and cinnamon. Perfect as a sweet ending to any meal or a special treat with afternoon tea.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 2 cups Ricotta or Anthotyro Cheese (For a more authentic taste, use mizithra cheese)
- 3 Eggs (for binding and richness)
- 1/2 cup Honey (plus extra for drizzling before serving)
- 1 Lemon Zest (can substitute with orange zest)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (adds depth of flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon (optional, can be omitted or replaced)
- 1 pinch Salt (balances sweetness)
Optional Topping
- 1 tablespoon Powdered Sugar (for dusting before serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch pie dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together ricotta (or anthotyro) cheese, eggs, honey, lemon zest, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon if using. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Pour and Smooth: Pour the batter into the prepared pie dish. Use a spatula to smooth the top evenly for uniform baking.
- Bake the Pie: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The pie is done when it turns a lovely golden brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly.
- Cool and Chill: Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely at room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow it to firm up and develop flavors.
- Serve: Before serving, dust the pie with powdered sugar and drizzle additional honey on top for extra sweetness and shine. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute ricotta with anthotyro or mizithra cheese for a more traditional flavor profile.
- If cinnamon is not desired, it can be omitted or replaced with a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom.
- Extra honey drizzled on the top before serving enhances the natural sweetness and adds beautiful shine.
- Allowing the pie to chill improves texture and taste, making it easier to slice.
- This pie pairs wonderfully with Greek coffee or a light, floral tea.
Keywords: Greek honey pie, Melopita, Greek dessert, ricotta pie, honey dessert, traditional Greek recipe, baked cheese pie
