Golden Greek Honey Pie (Melopita) 

Melopita, a traditional Greek honey pie, hails from the island of Sifnos. This delightful dessert combines the creamy richness of ricotta cheese with the natural sweetness of honey, resulting in a custard-like filling. With its subtle flavors and smooth texture, Melopita offers a comforting and authentic taste of Greek culinary heritage. It's a perfect treat for special occasions or a sweet ending to any meal.

🧀 Ingredients

For the Pie:

• 2½ cups ricotta cheese (or strained anthotyro)

• ½ cup honey (preferably Greek citrus honey)

• 3 large eggs

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• Zest of 1 lemon

• ¼ cup sugar (optional, for added sweetness)

For the Pan:

• Butter (for greasing)

• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (for dusting)

🔪 Directions

1. Prepare the Pan: Grease a 9-inch round springform pan with butter and dust with cornstarch to prevent sticking.

2. Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, honey, eggs, cornstarch, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, lemon zest, and sugar (if using) until smooth and well combined.

3. Assemble the Pie: Pour the prepared filling into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly.

4. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the pie for 40–45 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown.

5. Cool and Serve: Allow the pie to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, remove the sides of the springform pan and let the pie cool completely. Before serving, drizzle with additional honey and dust with ground cinnamon.

📊 Nutritional Estimate (per serving)

• Calories: Approximately 226 kcal

• Total Fat: 11 g

• Saturated Fat: 7 g

• Cholesterol: 68 mg

• Sodium: 211 mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 20 g

• Dietary Fiber: 0.4 g

• Sugars: 10 g

• Protein: 6 g