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Golden Greek Honey Pie (Melopita) Recipe

4.5 from 687 reviews

Golden Greek Honey Pie, or Melopita, is a luscious traditional Greek dessert featuring layers of crisp, buttery phyllo dough filled with a creamy semolina custard. This pie is delicately spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, baked to a golden perfection, and finished with a drizzle of warm honey and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for added texture and sweetness.

Ingredients

Scale

Phyllo Layers

  • 8 sheets phyllo dough
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted

Filling

  • 1 cup semolina flour
  • 3 large eggs
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt

Topping

  • ½ cup honey, warmed
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
  2. Layer Phyllo Base: Place 7 sheets of phyllo dough one by one into the prepared dish, brushing each sheet generously with melted butter to ensure a crispy and rich base.
  3. Mix Filling: In a large 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 well combined.
  4. Pour Filling: Pour the prepared semolina custard filling evenly over the layered phyllo base in the baking dish.
  5. Top with Phyllo Sheets: Layer the remaining 1 phyllo sheet over the filling, brushing with butter between each layer. Lightly score the top layer to help with even baking and easier slicing later.
  6. Bake: Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is set.
  7. Cool and Serve: Allow the pie to cool for about 10 minutes after baking. Then, drizzle the warm honey over the pie and sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds on top. Slice into portions and serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Handle phyllo dough gently and keep covered with a damp cloth while working to prevent drying out.
  • Use warmed honey for easy drizzling and better flavor integration.
  • To toast sesame seeds, lightly heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and golden, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and consume within 2 days for best freshness.
  • This pie is best enjoyed slightly warm to maximize the aromatic spices and honey flavor.

Keywords: Greek honey pie, Melopita, semolina pie, phyllo dessert, Greek dessert, honey pie, cinnamon nutmeg pie