Traditional Greek Recipes: Portokalopita

·

By Georgene Dilernia

Portokalopita is a delicious, differently styled cake that is a must-try for anyone who isn’t afraid of fruit dessert! Portokalopita is a mouth-watering dessert with the aromas and blends of fresh oranges and cinnamon. The Greek cake is popular to serve with a spoon full of vanilla ice-cream on top. 

Take a look below to see how you can bake this pleasant treat!

INGREDIENTS

For the Portokalopita

  • 200g yogurt
  • 300ml corn oil
  • 300ml sugar
  • 300ml orange juice
  • 20g baking powers
  • Zest of 1½ oranges
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 440-450g phyllo dough

For the Syrup

  • 400ml water
  • 400ml sugar
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 1 cinnamon stick (optional)

METHOD

  1. Unwrap the phyllo dough from the plastic sleeve; place the sheets on a large surface and leave at room temperature for 20 minutes, in order to dry well. Alternatively, spread a few on a large baking tray and bake at 100°c, until dry; repeat with the rest.
  2. To prepare this Greek orange cake, start first by preparing the syrup. Pour the water, sugar, orange zest and a cinnamon stick into a pot and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved and the syrup has thickened. Leave aside to cool.
  3. Prepare the mixture for the orange cake. Pour the corn oil into a large bowl, add the sugar and whisk. Add the yogurt, orange juice, orange zest and vanilla extract and whisk well until the ingredients combine and the mixture is smooth. Add the baking powder and blend lightly.
  4. Tear the sheets of the phyllo dough into small pieces using your hands and add into the mixture; whisk well.
  5. Using a cooking brush, oil the bottom and the sides of a baking tray (approx.20x30cm / 8×12 inch) and pour in the mixture. Bake in a preheated oven at 170-180°c for 40-50 minutes until, nicely coloured and cooked through. Check if it is ready, by making a hole with a knife. 
  6. To finish the orange cake, ladle slowly the cold syrup over the hot cake. Allow each ladle of syrup to be absorbed before ladling again.
  7. Allow time for the syrup to be absorbed and put in the refrigerator. Greek orange cake is ideally served cold, not hot, so that it does not crumble.

Kali Oreski!

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

How Maih Porfyri’s career pivot took her from fashion to the Paralympics

Maih Porfyri had only been in her job for a few months before she was whisked away on a trip to Paris to cover the Paralympic Games.

My partner doesn’t speak Greek – Can we still raise bilingual kids?

You can absolutely raise bilingual children, even if only one parent speaks Greek. Across the world, countless families do so successfully.

Joint bank accounts: Who gets the money?

All people named in a joint account are privy to the money by Law. Most of us have opened accounts at various bank branches.

Vergina considered among the world’s most mysterious destinations

Featured alongside global wonders, Vergina earns its place through a mystery that has eluded scholars for centuries.

Gender in Modern Greek: Dr Angeliki Alvanoudi to give online seminar

The aim of the seminar is to examine the role of Greek gendered terms in sustaining social gender ideologies that reinforce sexism.

You May Also Like

Floros family affair on the ACT Rockets cricket team

Four members of the Floros family are going to be in The ACT Rockets team for the Australian Indoor Cricket Championships.

Turkey in review: The lira crisis, censorship controversy & COVID-19 trajectory

The measures implemented by President Erdogan in Turkey to combat the spread of COVID-19 have had an impact on the country's social and economic life.

Jessica Mauboy wants to incorporate Greek traditions into wedding with Themeli Magripilis

Jessica Mauboy has talked about her upcoming wedding to fiancé Themeli Magripilis. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph this weekend, the 30-year-old said she spent her Christmas holidays planning...