Cretan Kalitsounia Sweet Cheese Pastries
Delight your taste buds with the authentic flavors of Cretan Kalitsounia Sweet Cheese Pastries, a beloved treat from the sunny Greek island of Crete. These delicate pastries feature a flaky, olive oil-based dough with a delightful filling of soft mizithra cheese (or ricotta), honey, and cinnamon. Hand-pinched edges create an elegant, rustic look, while a light dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of honey add the perfect sweet finishing touch. Ideal for dessert or a sophisticated snack, these pastries are baked to golden perfection in just 20 minutes. Discover this traditional Mediterranean recipe bursting with warmth, sweetness, and charm—a true taste of Crete in every bite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams all-purpose flour
- 120 milliliters olive oil
- 120 milliliters white wine
- 100 milliliters water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 500 grams soft mizithra cheese (or ricotta as a substitute)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, olive oil, white wine, water, salt, and sugar. Mix until combined, then knead into a smooth dough. Cover with a clean towel and let it rest for 30 minutes.
While the dough is resting, make the filling. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the soft mizithra cheese or ricotta, honey, egg, and ground cinnamon. Mix until smooth and fully incorporated.
Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thin sheet, approximately 3 millimeters thick.
Using a round cutter or a glass, cut the dough into circles, about 8-10 centimeters in diameter.
Place a heaping teaspoon of the cheese filling in the center of each dough circle.
Fold the edges of each circle slightly inward and pinch them at regular intervals to create a "ruffled" or decorative pattern around the edges, leaving the filling exposed in the middle.
Transfer the shaped pastries onto the prepared baking sheets.
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and water to make an egg wash. Brush the edges of the pastries with the egg wash for a golden finish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges of the pastries are golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack.
Dust the pastries with powdered sugar and serve warm or at room temperature. Optionally, drizzle with additional honey before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4144 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 180.0 g | 231% | |
| Saturated Fat | 51.8 g | 259% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 12.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 530 mg | 177% | |
| Sodium | 2738 mg | 119% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 482.2 g | 175% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.0 g | 54% | |
| Total Sugars | 91.3 g | ||
| Protein | 115.7 g | 231% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.7 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 1158 mg | 89% | |
| Iron | 26.9 mg | 149% | |
| Potassium | 1249 mg | 27% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
