Golden Greek Honey Pie, or Melopita, is a delightful dessert that’s both simple and luxurious. With layers of crispy, buttery phyllo dough and a creamy semolina filling flavored with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, this pie is truly irresistible. The warm honey drizzle on top, paired with toasted sesame seeds, adds an extra layer of sweetness and texture, making it the perfect treat for any occasion.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the Pie:

  • 8 sheets of phyllo dough

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted

  • 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

• For Topping:

  • 1/2 cup honey, warmed

  • 2 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted

Directions

1. Prepare the Phyllo Layers: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place one sheet of phyllo in the dish, brushing generously with melted butter. Repeat with 6 more sheets, stacking them evenly.

2. Make the Semolina Filling: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the semolina, eggs, sugar, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Pour the mixture over the phyllo base in the baking dish.

3. Top with Phyllo: Add the last phyllo sheet on top of the filling, brushing with butter between each layer. Lightly score the top phyllo layer with a sharp knife into diamond or square shapes for easier slicing after baking.

4. Bake: Bake the pie for 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown and set. Allow it to cool for 10 minutes.

5. Add Toppings: Drizzle the warm honey over the pie, and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

6. Serve: Slice the pie and serve it warm or at room temperature.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 320 kcal

• Total Fat: 20g (31% DV)

• Carbohydrates: 35g (12% DV)

  • Sugars: 22g

• Protein: 6g (12% DV)

• Sodium: 114mg

• Fiber: 1g (4% DV)

The Base of Phyllo Dough: A Crispy Delight

The foundation of this Golden Greek Honey Pie lies in the use of phyllo dough. Phyllo, or filo, is a paper-thin pastry dough that crisps up beautifully when brushed with butter and baked. For this recipe, eight sheets of phyllo dough are used, creating multiple layers that provide a crispy and flaky texture to the pie. The dough itself is neutral, which makes it the perfect vessel to hold the rich, creamy semolina filling. Each sheet of phyllo is brushed generously with melted butter, ensuring it crisps up beautifully during baking while adding a rich, buttery flavor to every bite.

The Creamy Semolina Filling

The heart of Melopita is its semolina filling, which offers a creamy, custard-like texture that contrasts wonderfully with the crispy phyllo crust. The semolina flour provides a slightly granular texture that softens when cooked, creating a velvety filling. To make the filling, semolina is combined with eggs, sugar, milk, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, which infuse the filling with aromatic flavors. The cinnamon and nutmeg give the dessert its signature warm, comforting taste, while the semolina provides a slight chewiness and depth. A pinch of salt is added to balance the sweetness of the sugar, ensuring a well-rounded flavor.

Once mixed, the semolina filling is poured over the phyllo layers in the baking dish, and the top is covered with a final layer of phyllo dough, ensuring that the filling remains protected while baking. The result is a rich and creamy filling that is both delicate and indulgent, complemented perfectly by the crispy phyllo crust.

Baking the Pie

Once assembled, the Golden Greek Honey Pie is baked in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 40-45 minutes. During this time, the pie transforms into a golden-brown masterpiece, with the phyllo layers crisping up to perfection while the semolina filling sets and becomes firm. The contrast between the flaky crust and the creamy filling is a defining characteristic of Melopita, making each bite satisfying and full of flavor.

As the pie bakes, you’ll notice the sweet, spicy aroma filling your kitchen, making it impossible to resist. Once the pie is golden and set, it is important to let it cool for a few minutes to ensure that the filling has time to firm up slightly, making it easier to slice.

Topping the Pie: Honey and Sesame Seeds

The crowning touch of Melopita is the warm honey drizzle that is poured over the pie just before serving. Honey adds a natural sweetness that complements the richness of the semolina filling and the crispy phyllo dough. The honey is warmed slightly to make it easier to drizzle over the top, allowing it to soak into the layers of phyllo and filling. The toasted sesame seeds are sprinkled on top, adding a delightful crunch and a nutty flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dessert.

These simple yet flavorful toppings not only enhance the taste but also add a beautiful visual contrast to the golden-brown pie. The honey brings a glossy sheen to the surface, while the sesame seeds provide texture and an extra layer of flavor that ties the dish together.

Serving Melopita

Golden Greek Honey Pie can be served either warm or at room temperature, depending on your preference. It is often sliced into squares or diamond-shaped pieces, making it easy to serve at gatherings or family meals. The combination of the crispy phyllo, creamy semolina filling, and sweet honey drizzle makes each bite satisfying and comforting. Whether you’re enjoying it as an afternoon treat with a cup of tea or as a dessert after a meal, Melopita is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Customization and Variations

While the classic recipe for Melopita is delightful on its own, there are several ways you can customize it to suit your tastes:

• Nuts: You can add crushed nuts such as walnuts or almonds into the semolina filling or sprinkle them on top for added texture and flavor.

• Fruit: For a fresh twist, consider adding a layer of sliced fruit, such as berries or apples, between the phyllo dough and semolina filling for a fruity contrast.

• Spices: Adjust the spices to your liking. If you love cinnamon, feel free to add a little more, or try adding a touch of allspice for a deeper flavor.

Nutritional Considerations

Golden Greek Honey Pie is an indulgent dessert, rich in flavor and satisfying in every bite. While it’s relatively high in calories due to the phyllo dough and butter, it also provides a decent amount of protein from the eggs and semolina flour. The pie contains about 320 calories per serving, with 20g of fat, much of which comes from the butter and phyllo dough. The honey and sesame seeds add additional sweetness and texture, while also providing a small amount of fiber and healthy fats from the sesame seeds.

For those looking to reduce the calorie count, you could try substituting some of the butter with a lighter oil or using a sugar substitute in the filling. However, the traditional version of Melopita is worth the indulgence for its rich, satisfying flavors.

Conclusion

Golden Greek Honey Pie (Melopita) is a delightful dessert that combines crispy phyllo dough with a creamy, spiced semolina filling, topped with warm honey and toasted sesame seeds. The combination of textures—crispy, creamy, and slightly nutty—makes this dessert truly irresistible. Whether you’re serving it at a special gathering or simply indulging in a comforting treat, Melopita will undoubtedly become a favorite. Its simplicity in ingredients, yet luxurious in flavor, makes it a perfect dessert to enjoy on any occasion.