Bougatsa

Bougatsa, a Greek pastry that’s delicious for breakfast or anytime, has a creamy but sturdy lemon-vanilla custard baked between layers of crisp and flaky phyllo dough.

Prep Time:

35 mins

Cook Time:

45 mins

Cool Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 50 mins

Servings:

12

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup semolina flour
• 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed 
• 2 tablespoons packed grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, divided
• 18 (14×9-inch) frozen phyllo pastry sheets, thawed
• 2 teaspoons confectioner’s sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. Beat eggs with a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment on medium speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Add white sugar; beat on medium speed until thick and foamy, 4 to 5 minutes. 
4. Meanwhile, heat milk in a large saucepan over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until milk begins to simmer. With mixer on low speed, slowly pour hot milk into egg mixture, beating until fully combined, about 30 seconds.
5. Return milk mixture to saucepan. Place saucepan over medium-low heat, and cook, whisking constantly, until mixture begins to simmer and thickens slightly, 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually whisk in semolina flour; cook, stirring constantly, until thickened to a porridge consistency, 1 to 2 minutes.
6. Remove saucepan from heat. Gradually whisk cold butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, into mixture in saucepan until emulsified, about 2 minutes. Whisk in lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla. Let custard stand at room temperature while preparing baking pan, stirring occasionally.
7. Brush bottom and sides of a nonstick 13- x 9-inch baking pan with about 1 tablespoon of the melted butter. Gently unfold and place phyllo sheets on a clean work surface; cover using a damp clean kitchen towel to keep phyllo moist while you work. Layer 8 phyllo sheets in the prepared baking pan, lightly brushing each sheet with melted butter.
8. Spread custard over phyllo in an even layer. Top with 2 phyllo sheets, lightly brushing each sheet with melted butter and stretching sheets to cover sides of baking pan.
9. Working with remaining 8 phyllo sheets, 1 sheet at a time, place phyllo sheet on work surface; lightly brush with melted butter. Starting from 1 short end, fold phyllo sheet accordion-style to create a long strip with 2-inch-wide pleats. Place folded phyllo strip crosswise in baking pan with pleats facing up. Repeat brushing and folding process with remaining 7 phyllo sheets and melted butter, placing strips side by side to completely cover baking pan.
10. Bake in the preheated oven until pastry is golden brown and crispy, 40 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven, and let bougatsa cool slightly at room temperature for 30 minutes. Dust evenly with confectioner’s sugar and cinnamon. Slice into squares, and serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)