Greek Sweets Made Easy: Your Passport to Mediterranean Bliss

The Greeks, with their sun-soaked islands and ancient mythology, also have a knack for creating heavenly desserts. From honey-drenched Loukoumades to the flaky, creamy delight of Galaktoboureko, these easy sweet recipes are simple, sweet, and irresistibly Greek.

1. Melopita (Honey Pie)

Instead of settling for Mousse Cake or a Cadbury chocolate cake, try this Greek goodness. Melopita is a simple yet divine dessert that brings together the richness of cheese and the sweetness of honey.

Ingredients:

• 500 gm ricotta cheese
• 100 gm honey (plus extra for drizzling)
• 2 large eggs
• 5 ml vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 50 gm all-purpose flour
• 5 gm cinnamon (for dusting)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C and grease an 8-inch pie dish.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, honey, eggs, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth.
3. Slowly add the flour and mix until fully incorporated.
4. Pour the mixture into the prepared pie dish and bake for 30-35 minutes at 180°C, or until the top is golden and set.
5. Let it cool slightly before drizzling with extra honey and dusting with cinnamon. Serve warm or at room temperature.

2. Loukoumades (Greek Honey Doughnuts)

These golden, crispy dough balls drenched in honey syrup are the stuff of sweet dreams. These easy sweet recipes will leave you craving for more.

Ingredients:

• 250 gm all-purpose flour
• 7 gm active dry yeast
• 200 ml lukewarm water
• 15 gm sugar
• A pinch of salt
• 250 ml vegetable oil (for frying)
• 100 gm honey
• 50 ml water (for syrup)
• 5 gm ground cinnamon
• 30 gm chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the yeast, sugar, and lukewarm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the flour and salt. Gradually add the yeast mixture to the flour, mixing until you have a smooth, sticky dough.
3. Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rise for about an hour or until doubled in size.
4. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium heat.
5. Using a spoon, drop small amounts of dough into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown on all sides.
6. In a small saucepan, heat the honey and 50 ml of water until it forms a syrup.
7. Drizzle the syrup over the hot loukoumades, sprinkle with cinnamon and walnuts if using, and enjoy!

3. Galaktoboureko: Custard Pie with a Phyllo Crunch

Galaktoboureko is like a custard pie wrapped in crispy, buttery phyllo pastry, then soaked in a sweet syrup. It’s the dessert that can make you forget Chocolate Tart.

Ingredients:

• 500 ml of milk
• 120 gm of fine semolina
• 150 gm of sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 5 ml of vanilla extract
• 100 gm of unsalted butter, melted
• 8 sheets of phyllo pastry
• 150 ml of water (for syrup)
• 150 gm of sugar (for syrup)
• 1 strip of lemon peel

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat. Gradually whisk in the semolina and sugar, cooking until the mixture thickens.
2. Remove from heat and stir in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
3. Preheat your oven to 180°C and grease an 8x12-inch baking dish.
4. Layer half of the phyllo sheets in the dish, brushing each with melted butter.
5. Pour the custard filling over the phyllo and then top with the remaining sheets, again brushing with butter between each layer.
6. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden and crisp.
7. While the pie is baking, make the syrup by boiling the water, sugar, and lemon peel together for about 10 minutes.
8. Once the Galaktoboureko is out of the oven, pour the hot syrup over the hot pie. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes at 180°C before serving.

4. Kourabiedes (Greek Butter Cookies)

These buttery, crumbly cookies coated in powdered sugar are the perfect treat for any occasion, but especially for days when you need a bit of comfort.

Ingredients:

• 250 gm unsalted butter, softened
• 100 gm powdered sugar
• 5 ml vanilla extract
• 300 gm all-purpose flour
• 50 gm ground almonds
• 5 gm baking powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 170°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until light and creamy.
3. Gradually add the flour, ground almonds, and baking powder, mixing until a dough forms.
4. Shape the dough into small balls or crescents and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 170°C, or until lightly golden.
6. While still warm, roll the cookies in extra powdered sugar until fully coated.