Melopita Recipe The Authentic Greek Honey Pie You’ll Love Recipe
Melopita is a traditional Greek honey pie known for its creamy ricotta base, subtle sweetness from honey, and delightful hints of lemon and vanilla. This comforting dessert offers a custard-like texture when served warm, or a firmer slice when chilled, making it a versatile treat that beautifully showcases the flavors of authentic Greek honey and fresh ricotta cheese.
- Author: Rico
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Vegetarian
Main Ingredients
- 500g (about 2 cups) fresh ricotta cheese or anthotyro
- 3 large eggs
- 100g (⅓ cup) high-quality honey (preferably Greek thyme honey)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or a pinch of vanilla powder)
- Zest of 1 lemon
Optional Toppings
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, for dusting
- extra honey, for drizzling
- Prepare the cheese base: In a large bowl, whisk the ricotta until smooth. If the cheese is wet or grainy, strain it for 30 minutes beforehand to achieve a silkier texture, which ensures a creamier pie.
- Add eggs and honey: Whisk in the eggs one at a time to fully incorporate them and create a smooth mixture. Then pour in the honey and vanilla extract, whisking continuously until the mixture is uniform and glossy.
- Add lemon zest: Gently stir in the lemon zest. This brightens the pie and balances the sweetness with a fresh citrus aroma and flavor.
- Bake: Pour the batter into a lightly greased or parchment-lined 8–9 inch round baking dish, smoothing the top evenly. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 35–40 minutes, or until the pie is lightly golden and just set in the center but still slightly jiggly.
- Cool and serve: Allow the pie to cool slightly before slicing. Dust with ground cinnamon and drizzle with extra honey if desired. Serve warm for a custard-like texture or chill for 2–3 hours for a firmer slice. Enjoy your authentic Greek honey pie!
Notes
- Straining the ricotta cheese improves the texture by removing excess moisture.
- Greek thyme honey is preferred for its distinctive floral notes but any high-quality mild honey will work.
- The pie can be enjoyed warm or chilled depending on your texture preference.
- Adding a light dusting of cinnamon and a drizzle of honey enhances the traditional Greek flavor profile.
- Use fresh lemon zest for the best citrus aroma; avoid the white pith to prevent bitterness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pie)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Melopita, Greek honey pie, ricotta cheese dessert, traditional Greek dessert, honey custard pie, lemon honey pie, Greek baking