Galaktoboureko – Greek filo dessert with semolina custard Recipe
Galaktoboureko is a Greek dessert made of crispy filo pastry and a thick, vanilla semolina custard, soaked in lemon syrup. The taste is reminiscent of a mix between pudding and puff pastry, but in a crunchier, syrup-soaked version. In Greece it often appears in pastry shops next to baklava as an alternative for those who prefer fewer nuts.
This classic Greek dessert combines ultra-crispy layers of filo with a silky, aromatic semolina custard and fragrant lemon syrup. The contrast of textures and temperatures—hot pastry soaked with cold syrup—makes it especially memorable and different from typical custard cakes.
Chef's tips
Use fine semolina so the custard is smooth and creamy. Don’t skip covering the filo with a damp cloth while you work—this prevents it from drying out and cracking. When adding the eggs to the custard, make sure it’s only warm, not hot, and whisk vigorously so the eggs incorporate evenly.
How to serve
Serve galaktoboureko well chilled, cut into squares or diamonds. It’s perfect after a Mediterranean-style dinner, alongside Greek coffee or strong espresso. For a more festive touch, you can add a small scoop of vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of thick Greek yogurt on the side.
Ingredients
- filo pastry about 10–12 sheets - 250 g
- milk for the custard - 1 l
- semolina fine - 120 g
- sugar for the custard - 180 g
- egg for the custard - 4 pieces
- butter 120 g for the pastry, 60 g for the custard - 180 g
- lemon zest grated, only the yellow part - 1 teaspoon
- vanilla sugar - 1 teaspoon
- water for the syrup - 250 ml
- sugar for the syrup - 200 g
- lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
Preparation
- First prepare the syrup: pour the water into a saucepan, add 200 g sugar and the lemon juice. Heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves, then simmer over low heat for 8–10 minutes, until the syrup slightly thickens. Set aside to cool completely.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (top and bottom heat). Lightly grease a rectangular baking dish about 20×30 cm with butter.
- In a pot, heat the milk with 180 g sugar, vanilla sugar and lemon zest until hot but not boiling.
- Slowly pour the semolina into the hot milk in a thin stream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook for 4–5 minutes over low heat, until the mixture thickens to the consistency of a thick pudding.
- Remove the pot from the heat, add 60 g butter and stir until melted. Set the custard aside for a few minutes to cool slightly.
- Crack the eggs into a bowl and lightly beat with a fork. Gradually add them to the warm (but not hot) custard, whisking quickly so they don’t scramble. Set the custard aside.
- Melt the remaining 120 g butter in a small saucepan and let it cool slightly. Keep the filo pastry covered with a damp cloth so it doesn’t dry out.
- Place the first sheet of filo on the bottom of the dish and brush it lightly with melted butter. Add another sheet and brush again. Repeat until you have 5–6 layers.
- Pour the warm semolina custard over the prepared base and smooth the top with a spoon.
- Cover the custard with the remaining filo sheets (5–6 pieces), brushing each one with butter. Brush the last sheet thoroughly as well.
- Using a sharp knife, score the top of the pastry into squares or diamonds, without cutting all the way through to the bottom (only the top layers).
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 35–40 minutes, until the top is golden and crisp and the custard inside is set.
- Immediately after removing from the oven, pour the cold syrup over the hot pastry, distributing it evenly over the entire surface.
- Leave the galaktoboureko at room temperature for at least 2–3 hours so the syrup can soak in and the dessert can cool and set properly.
Storage
Przechowuj w lodówce, najlepiej przykryte, żeby nie chłonęło zapachów. Przed podaniem możesz wyjąć na 15–20 minut, żeby nie było lodowate.
