Unveiling Bougatsa: A Delectable Journey Through Time and Taste

Bougatsa, a delightful Greek pastry, comes in both sweet and savory varieties, and it's known for its sumptuous semolina custard filling. If you're on the hunt for a place nearby to savor this delectable treat, look no further. Alternatively, you can indulge in the joy of crafting your own bougatsa with high-quality ingredients.

To embark on this culinary adventure, gather the following essentials: phyllo pastry, milk, sugar, semolina, eggs, vanilla extract, the zest of one lemon, butter, cinnamon, and powdered sugar. With these ingredients in hand, you're ready to create your homemade bougatsa masterpiece.

The roots of bougatsa trace back to Byzantium, specifically Constantinople when it was under Greek influence. During the Byzantine era, sweet pastries and pies were a cherished tradition, with bougatsa standing out as one of the most renowned.

Historical records from the 16th and 17th centuries reveal that bougatsa remained a beloved treat even after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. Notably, the famous Ottoman traveler Evlias Celebis documented that Istanbul featured bakeries preparing various bougatsa variations, such as "kourou bougatsa," "kigmali" (with minced meat), "peinirli" (with cheese), and "sade bougatsa" (dusted with powdered sugar).

As history unfolded, bougatsa's popularity surged in Greece following the Asia Minor catastrophe. Although it had admirers across the country, the heart of bougatsa culture lies in Thessalonica and Serres, likely due to the influx of refugees from Asia Minor who chose to build their new lives in these cities.

In 1917, the Union of Bougatsa Makers of Thessaloniki was established, with 51 members coming together within two years—an impressive feat at the time.

Post-1922, bougatsa's popularity in Greece skyrocketed. To this day, it continues to be a beloved daily indulgence with a devoted fan base. Its enduring appeal suggests that its future is as promising as its rich flavor and creamy custard filling.

This traditional Greek custard pie recipe using phyllo pastry demands approximately 20 minutes of preparation time and bakes to perfection in about 40 to 50 minutes. Create your own slice of bougatsa history in your kitchen and savor the deliciousness of this classic Greek pastry.


Bougatsa Recipe - Ingredients

  • 10 sheets of ready-made phyllo pastry
  • 3 cups of milk, 750 ml
  • 200 g of sugar
  • 100 g of semolina
  • 2 eggs, beaten.
  • The zest of one lemon
  • 3 tablespoons of butter
  • 1 vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 cup of powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoonful of cinnamon

Bougatsa Recipe – How to Make

  1. Take a saucepan and add the sugar and the milk.
  2. Stir the mixture over moderate heat.
  3. When the milk comes to a boil gradually add the semolina.
  4. Stir until the mixture thickens. Then remove it from the heat and gradually add the vanilla extract, lemon zest, butter, and salt.
  5. Continue stirring well the mixture. Add the eggs and continue to stir until the mixture is homogeneous.
  6. Preheat the oven to 160. Take a baking pan and grease it.
  7. Place one sheet of pastry and sprinkle it with some melted butter always leaving a part of the phyllo out of the baking pan from both sides. Repeat this process for the next five phyllo dough in a radial way.
  8. Now, with the help of a spatula evenly spread the custard cream.
  9. Place one sheet of pastry and sprinkle it with some melted butter. Repeat this for the next five phyllo dough sheets.
  10. Take the phyllo dough that is outside the baking pan and cover the surface of the bougatsa.
  11. Coat the top sheet with butter.
  12. Bake until the phyllo gets a golden-brown color.
  13. Remove the bougatsa from the oven and allow it to cool down a bit.
  14. Sprinkle it with powdered sugar and cinnamon before serving.

 Bougatsa is more than just a pastry; it's a timeless piece of culinary history, with roots stretching back to the Byzantine era. Whether you're indulging in the delightful bougatsa from a local store or embarking on a culinary adventure to create your own, this Greek treasure continues to capture hearts and palates around the world. With its rich history, diverse variations, and enduring popularity, bougatsa stands as a testament to the enduring power of a simple, yet delicious, delight. So, savor each bite of bougatsa, and let its flavor transport you through centuries of tradition and taste. If you like chocolate, you should try this bougatsa with chocolate recipe