Melopita – Crustless Greek Honey & Cheese Pie Recipe
Melopita is a traditional Greek crustless honey and cheese pie, featuring a smooth ricotta base sweetened with honey and lightly spiced with cinnamon. Baked to a golden-brown perfection, this delicate dessert offers a luscious, creamy texture without the heaviness of a crust, making it a wholesome and delightful treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Total Time: 55-60 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 600 grams ricotta cheese (fresh)
- 3 eggs
- 1 tbsp corn starch (corn flour)
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Sweeteners and Spice
- 100 ml honey (for batter)
- 60 ml honey (for drizzling)
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F) and grease a 20cm (8 inch) springform baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, eggs, corn starch, vanilla extract, and 100 ml honey until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps, ensuring an even batter.
- Bake the Melopita: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is nicely browned and the center is set without wobbling, signaling that it’s fully cooked.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 5 minutes to set further before removing the springform sides.
- Cool Completely and Finish: Transfer the pie to a cooling rack to cool completely. Once cooled, drizzle with the remaining 60 ml honey and sprinkle the top with ground cinnamon to enhance the flavor and presentation.
Notes
- The freshness and quality of ricotta greatly affect the creaminess and flavor of the melopita.
- Use a springform pan for easy removal without damaging the delicate pie.
- Ensure the baking time is adhered to for a firm but creamy interior; overbaking can dry out the texture.
- Drizzling honey and cinnamon after cooling enhances the aroma and gives a glossy finish.
- This pie is best enjoyed at room temperature or slightly chilled.
Keywords: Melopita, Greek honey pie, crustless cheese pie, ricotta dessert, honey and cinnamon pie, traditional Greek dessert
