Portokalopita “Greek Orange Cake”
Made with torn phyllo and fresh oranges this Portokalopita “Greek Orange Cake,” also known as “Greek Orange Pie” is a “knock your socks right off” super flakey and moist cake. Did I mention it is drizzled in Orange Syrup?! It is! Grab your aprons friends! You are going to love this zesty citrus cake recipe.
Portokalopita “Greek Orange Cake”
How do you Pronounce Portokalopita & What Does It mean?
The name Portokalopita is a greek compound word formed from the roots “portokáli,” which means oranges and the word pita which means pastry. The cake is made with phyllo pastry sheets. The word translates into “Greek Orange Pie.” Because the crust is baked in the filling causing the texture to resemble cake, somewhere along the way, “pie” was dropped for cake.
“What is In Portokalopita “Greek Orange Cake”?
Greek Orange Pie Main Ingredients
Occasions to Serve Greek Orange Cake
- College Greek Week Party
- Weeknight or Weekend Dinner Party
- Potluck
- Big Fat Greek Wedding Watch Party
- Greek Themed Book Club
How To Serve Portokalopita
This “Greek Orange Phyllo Cake” also known as “Greek Orange Pie” obviously tastes absolutely scrumptious as is. But here are some other serving suggestions:
- Drizzle cake slices with chocolate syrup or chocolate ganache, as chocolate always pairs well with orange.
- Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a warm summer’s day.
- Serve it with some extra plain Greek yogurt on the side.
- Add a dollop of whipped cream.
More Tasty Greek Inspired Recipes
- HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE PITA BREAD
- EASY HOMEMADE TZATZIKI SAUCE
- HOMEMADE CHICKEN GYRO IN A LOAF PAN
- ZESTY LIMONCELLO SPRITZ
- GREEK GYRO PARTY BOARD
- SUPER MOIST ROASTED GRAPE AND OLIVE OIL CAKE
Portokalopita “Greek Orange Cake” Recipe
Ingredients
For the Orange Cake
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 1 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 16 ounce package phyllo sheets
Orange Simple Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cups fresh squeezed orange juice
- Cinnamon Stick
Greek Orange Cake Instructions
MAKE THE PORTOKALOPITA
Preheat oven to 350° F.
Remove the thawed phyllo pastry sheets from the package and shred into 1/2 inch pieces using a knife or with clean hands.
Lightly grease a 9″ X 13″ inch baking dish with olive oil.
Add the eggs, and sugar into a large mixing bowl and beat until pale and frothy. Mix in the orange zest, greek yogurt, vanilla, and baking powder until combined. Slowly incorporate the olive oil.
With a large spoon, fold in the torn phyllo pastry.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake for 55 minutes or until lightly browned on top.
Remove the Greek Orange Cake from the oven. Let the cake cool completely!
MAKE THE ORANGE SYRUP
When the Orange Cake has cooled completely, in a saucepan, bring the sugar, cinnamon stick, and orange juice to a simmer. Stir constantly to dissolve the sugar. Turn off the heat and let the orange simple syrup rest for 10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and pour over the Portokalopita.
Slice and serve immediately or cool in the refrigerator.
Portokalopita “Greek Orange Cake” Recipe Notes
- After working the phyllo dough into the wet mixture, pour and place in the oven quickly to avoid a mushy versus flaky cake.
Portokalopita “Greek Orange Cake”
Ingredients
Portokalopita "Greek Orange Cake"
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 1 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 16 ounce package phyllo sheets
Orange Simple Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cups fresh squeezed orange juice
- Cinnamon Stick
Instructions
MAKE THE PORTOKALOPITA
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Remove the thawed phyllo pastry sheets from the package and shred into 1/2 inch pieces using a knife or with clean hands.
- Lightly grease a 9″ X 13″ inch baking dish with olive oil.
- Add the eggs, and sugar into a large mixing bowl and beat until pale and frothy. Mix in the orange zest, greek yogurt, vanilla, and baking powder until combined. Slowly incorporate the olive oil.
- With a large spoon, fold in the torn phyllo pastry.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake for 55 minutes or until lightly browned on top.
- Remove the Greek Orange Cake from the oven. Let the cake cool completely!
MAKE THE ORANGE SYRUP
- When the Orange Cake has cooled completely, in a saucepan, bring the sugar, cinnamon stick, and orange juice to a simmer. Stir constantly to dissolve the sugar. Turn off the heat and let the orange simple syrup rest for 10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and pour over the Portokalopita.
- Slice and serve immediately or cool in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Drizzle cake slices with chocolate syrup or chocolate ganache, as chocolate always pairs well with orange.
- Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a warm summer’s day.
- Serve it with some extra plain Greek yogurt on the side.
- Add a dollop of whipped cream.
Nutrition
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