Lemonopita (Greek Lemon Phyllo Cake)

This Greek dessert is made with yogurt, lemon juice and zest, and lots of shredded phyllo pastry. The texture is unique, and you won't believe how easy it is to make.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 604 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 eggs
• 3 cups white sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 2 lemons, juiced
• 2 cups water
• 1 (16 ounce) package phyllo dough
• 1 cup sunflower seed oil
• lemons, zested
• lemons, zested and juiced
• 1 (17.6 ounce) container Greek yogurt
• 0.75 cup white sugar

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine sugar, water, and zest of 2 lemons in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and boil vigorously for 8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice from 4 lemons. Allow syrup to cool while you prepare the cake.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with oil.

Step 3

Remove phyllo sheets from the package. Tear each sheet roughly into shreds and pile up in the baking pan. Let shredded phyllo dry out a little while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

Step 4

Combine yogurt, oil, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and baking powder in a blender or food processor. Blend together on high speed until frothy, about 2 minutes. Pour lemon-egg mixture over the shredded phyllo in the baking pan. Stir everything together gently until egg mixture is evenly distributed.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until the top is golden and the filling set, about 45 minutes.

Step 6

Remove from the oven and immediately pour cooled syrup over the hot cake. Set aside until most of the syrup has soaked in, at least 1 hour. Slice into squares and serve.