Yiaourtopita is the name of the traditional Greek yogurt cake. The yogurt and the lemon give this cake a light and distinct taste. For your reference, when I mention a cup as a measurement this equals 250 ml. For this recipe, I have used the zest and the juice of a lemon. but you can use the zest and the juice of an orange.
This authentic yiaourtopita recipe takes 30 minutes to prepare and around 60 minutes to bake.
Yiaourtopita - Ingredients
- 150 g of butter or margarine
- 1½ cups of sugar
- 4-5 eggs, separated
- 250 g of yogurt
- 4 cups of flour
- 3 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1 spoon of lemon zest
- A baking pan (28 cm diameter)
For the syrup
- 3 cups of sugar
- 2¾ cups of water
- Zest and juice of ½ lemon
Yiaourtopita - How to Make
- Start this Greek yogurt cake recipe by buttering the baking pan. Preheat oven to 180°C.
- Mix the butter with the sugar for around 10 mins until the sugar melts and the mixture becomes white and fluffy.
- Beat the white eggs until you get a dense meringue. Put aside.
- Stop the mixer and add in the bowl with sugar and butter the following ingredients: egg yolks, yogurt, and lemon zest. Mix at high speed for a couple of minutes.
- Lower the mixer's speed and gradually add the flour alternately with the meringue.
- Mix until you get a homogeneous mixture.
- Pour the mixture into the baking pan and bake at 180°C for around 50-60 minutes.
- While yiaourtopita is baking take a pot and add all the syrup's ingredients. Boil them for around 5 minutes until the ingredients are blended.
- When ready, remove the yiaourtopita from the oven. Wait for around 5 minutes, cut it into pieces, and pour the hot syrup.
- Once the cake is cool and the syrup is absorbed, you can remove it from the baking pan.
You can preserve yiaourtopita for 3-4 days. You just need to allow it to cool down, cover it well, and place it in the refrigerator. Yiaourtopita is more than just a dessert; it's a testament to the rich culinary heritage of Greece. Its simplicity, versatility, and heartwarming flavors make it a cherished favorite not just in Greece but among dessert enthusiasts worldwide. So, the next time you crave a taste of Greece, whip up a Yiaourtopita and savor a slice of Mediterranean magic. It's a journey worth taking, one bite at a time.
If you like this recipe, you should try to make a portokalopita. Enjoy!