Portokalopita - Traditional Greek Orange Cake

I learned to make this recipe in Crethe from a greek lady who introduced me to their tasty local cuisine. It is an easy recipe, with easy to find ingredients and absolutely delicious. I recomend preparing it one day before you plan to serve it.

Ingredients :

For the cake :

• 1 pack filo dough (dry)
• 1 cup greek yoghurt
• 1 cup olive oil
• 1 cup sugar
• zest of 1 orange
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp baking powder

For the syrup:

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• juice from 1 orange
• 2 cinnamon sticks

For the topping - optional :

• 1 orange, sliced

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C fan / 160 gas.
2. In a bowl mix all the ingredients for the cake except the filo dough until you have a smooth mixture.
3. Break the phyllo into small pieces using your hands. Add them gradually into the mixture while gentle stirring so they don’t stick to each other.
4. Prepare the baking tray - brush it with oil and then pour the mixture over it. Top it with slices of oranges.
5. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for aprox. 45 minutes. Check if it is ready, by poking a hole with a fork. If the fork comes out clean, then the cake is ready.
6. While the cake is baking, prepare the syrup. Add the ingredients from above in a pot and bring to boil. Simmer for few minutes, until the sugar is dissolved and the syrup has thickened. Set aside to cool.
7. Pour the syrup, bit by bit on the cake. Wait for the syrup to be absorbed before pouring the rest of it.
8. Ideally leave the cake to be absorbed over night (first night can be left at the room temperature as in the fridge the syrup will thicken). For the second night (IF you have any leftovers it is recommended to add it in the fridge).

καλή όρεξη - Kali Orexi - Enjoy your meal!