Galaktoboureko (Greek Custard Pie) Recipe

Ingredients
Equipment
Directions
FAQs
Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.
Traditional Galaktoboureko requires phyllo pastry, semolina flour, milk, eggs, butter, and sugar. The distinctive flavour comes from vanilla, lemon zest, and a honey-citrus syrup infused with cinnamon, cloves, and citrus peels that's poured over the hot pastry.
Learn how to cook Galaktoboureko by making a semolina custard, layering buttered phyllo sheets in a baking dish, adding the custard filling, covering with more phyllo, and baking until golden. The signature finish involves pouring cool citrus-infused syrup over the hot pastry, creating that perfect balance of crisp exterior and silky interior.
Phyllo dries out quickly when exposed to air. Keep unused sheets covered with a damp (not wet) kitchen towel while working. Work efficiently and ensure your melted butter is ready before unwrapping the phyllo. Generous butter between layers also helps prevent dryness and creates flaky layers.
Yes, you can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance. The texture changes slightly as it sits—the phyllo becomes softer as it absorbs the syrup. Store at room temperature for up to 8 hours or refrigerate for longer storage. Bring to room temperature before serving for best flavour.
The perfect custard texture comes from constant whisking while gradually adding semolina to hot milk, properly tempering the eggs, and cooking until it coats the back of a spoon. Allowing the baked dessert to rest for at least 2 hours ensures the custard sets properly while absorbing the syrup.
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