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Melopita
Honey and fresh cheese pie
Melopita: Sifnos Easter honey and fresh cheese pie dusted with cinnamon
On Sifnos, the Easter table always has a melopita, a crustless pie of fresh cheese, eggs and thyme honey baked until just set and dusted heavily with cinnamon. It is lighter than a cheesecake, gently sweet and floral from the honey, and tastes best a day after baking, cut into squares with coffee. The island cheese is fresh mizithra; ricotta works well and is usually made without animal rennet. Common mistake: baking it too hot, which makes it puff up and crack, then sink and weep. Chef's tip: let it cool slowly in the switched-off oven with the door ajar for a smooth, silky set.
- Total time
- 60 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
- 1 ⅔ lb fresh mizithra or ricottadrained
- 6 ½ oz thyme honey
- 4 eggs
- 1 ¾ oz caster sugar
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ⅓ oz butterfor the tin
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 350°F (300°F fan). Butter a 23 cm round or square tin with ⅓ oz butter.
Step 2: Beat 1 ⅔ lb fresh mizithra or ricotta with 6 ½ oz thyme honey and 1 ¾ oz caster sugar until smooth. Add 4 eggs one at a time, beating after each, then fold in 2 tbsp cornflour and 1 tsp lemon zest.
Step 3: Pour into the tin and smooth the top.
Step 4: Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the top is golden and the middle has only a slight wobble.
45 minStep 5: Switch off the oven, open the door a crack and leave the pie inside for 30 minutes to cool slowly.
30 minStep 6: Dust thickly with 1 tbsp ground cinnamon, cool completely and chill for a few hours before cutting into squares.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 290 kcal
- Protein
- 13 g
- Carbs
- 30 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does melopita take?
- About 60 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of thyme honey?
- Maple syrup or golden syrup, same amount.
- What can I use instead of eggs?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
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