Greek Bougatsa recipe (Custard Pie with Phyllo and ground Cinnamon) (2024)

Golden and creamy perfection! Bougatsa (Greek custard pie with phyllo)is a traditional Greek dessert made with the most creamy custard wrapped in golden brown crispy phyllo, sprinkled with melted butter and garnished with icing sugar and cinammon.. Simply amazing! A traditional Greek dish, perfect for every time of the day, as a delicious snack or as a filling dessert.

Follow our step by step Greek Bougatsa recipe and recreate this traditional sweet delight from scratch!Enjoy while still warm with a last minute sprinkle of icing sugar and cinammon.

Make the perfect homemade Bougatsa the traditional Greek way!

Thekey to make the most flavourful Greek Bougatsais to use a good quality fresh butter to butter the phyllo sheets. The authentic Greek Bougatsa recipe calls for ‘galaktos’ butter made from cow’s milk, which gives a very rich flavour and amazing smell!

Tip: When preparing phyllo based Greek desserts, like this Bougatsa recipe, a little trick to make the phyllo crispier and flakier is to sprinkle the melted butter over the phyllo sheets, rather than brushing them.

Working with phyllo can be tricky as its brittle and can dry out very quickly, so check thehandling tipsbefore start preparing this Bougatsa recipe. Don’t forget to brush the top of the bougatsa with enough butter and scar with a knife to help release the steam.

Bougatsa (Greek Custard Pie) Key Ingredients

Pie ingredients: Along with phyllo dough, you’ll want some melted butter, sugar, milk and all-purpose flour. You will also need eggs and some vanilla extract.

Topping: The topping is made from icing sugar and ground cinnamon.

Greek Bougatsa – Key Preparation Tips

There are three main steps involved with this recipe:

1. Make the filling
2. Make the nougats pie
3. Cook and serve

Make the filling for the bougatsa

To create this delightful traditional bougatsa recipe, begin by preparing the filling. In a large bowl, combine the sugar, eggs, and flour, whisking until the ingredients are well blended.

In a saucepan, combine the milk and vanilla extract and heat until boiling. Just before it reaches boiling point, pour one-third of this mixture into the flour mixture from Step 1 and stir well.

Reduce the heat. Incorporate the flour and milk mixture into the saucepan along with the remaining warm milk. Vigorously whisk until the mixture thickens, becoming velvety and smooth. Ensure the pan remains on the stove throughout the whisking process. This should typically take about 2-3 minutes.

Take the pan off the stove and give it an occasional stir to prevent the custard from developing a skin on top as you continue with the remaining steps of the bougatsa recipe.

Make the bougatsa pie

To make this delicious bougatsa recipe, you’ll require a generously-sized baking tray, approximately 20×30 cm / 8×12 inch in dimensions. Using a pastry brush, generously coat the bottom and sides of the tray with butter.

Begin by unrolling the phyllo dough from its plastic sleeve. For the bougatsa recipe, you will require around 10 to 12 sheets of phyllo. Utilize approximately 5 to 6 sheets for the bottom layer of the bougatsa and another 4 to 5 sheets for the top.

To start, place the sheets one by one at the base of the tray, generously drizzling melted butter over each layer.

Pour in the custard from step 4, using a spatula to even out the surface.

Layer the bougatsa with 4-5 phyllo sheets, generously brushing each sheet with melted butter. If desired, trim any excess phyllo with a knife and roll the edges. Apply a generous amount of butter on top and use a sharp knife to score the bougatsa.

Cook and serve

Place the bougatsa in a preheated oven at 160C / 320F and let it bake for 45 minutes until the phyllo becomes delightfully crisp and turns a beautiful golden brown.

Allow the bougatsa to cool for a short while before serving. Sprinkle it with a dusting of icing sugar and a hint of cinnamon. Savor its warmth alongside a steaming cup of coffee or tea.

Can I use instant custard instead of making my own?

When it comes to homemade custard, the fresh and authentic flavor is truly unmatched. The process of carefully selecting the ingredients, combining them with love, and patiently cooking it to perfection creates a delightful experience for your taste buds.

On the other hand, while instant custard can be a convenient option when time is scarce, it may not quite capture the same level of richness and creaminess that you can achieve with a homemade recipe. The velvety smoothness and luscious texture of homemade custard truly make it a treat worth savoring.

What if my phyllo dough rips while I’m working with it?

Don’t worry if your phyllo tears a bit – it’s quite delicate. However, fear not! You can easily patch it up with another perfectly thin and crisp piece of phyllo, seamlessly blending it into the recipe.

The layers and folds of this delectable pastry will artfully conceal any minor rips and tears, ensuring a flawless and visually stunning presentation.

Variations

There are various ways to add a unique twist to the traditional Greek Bougatsa Recipe:

1. Chocolate Bougatsa: Substitute some of the custard filling with a rich chocolate ganache or spread. This will create a wonderful contrast of flavors and is perfect for chocolate lovers.
2. Fruit Bougatsa: Add a layer of finely chopped fresh fruits or fruit compote between the custard and phyllo layers. Berries, apples, peaches, or cherries would all work well.
3. Cheese Bougatsa: Replace the custard with a mixture of feta and ricotta cheese for a savory version of this Greek classic. You can also add some fresh herbs like dill or mint to enhance the flavor.
4. Nutty Bougatsa: Sprinkle some finely chopped nuts like almonds, pistachios, or walnuts over the custard before adding the top phyllo layers. This will add a nice crunchy texture to the dessert.
5. Vegan Bougatsa: For a vegan version, use a plant-based milk to make the custard and replace butter with a vegan alternative. There are also vegan phyllo dough options available on the market.

Love a creamy dessert?

If you love a creamy, milky dessert as much as I do, these recipes are made for you!

• Traditional Greek Galaktoboureko recipe (Greek Custard Pie with Syrup)
• Greek Ekmek Kataifi recipe (Custard and whipped cream pastry with syrup)
• Phyllo Triangle Pastries with Custard (Trigona Panoramatos)

So go ahead, try out this delicious traditional Greek bougatsa recipe and amaze your friends and family with this crispy and velvety delight. Enjoy!

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