These sweet cheese pastries are served throughout Crete. They are made with sweet Mizithra cheese, which is similar to Ricotta – Ricotta works as a suitable substitute. Kalitsounia are eaten at times of celebration throughout the year, and none more so than Easter, when these are lovingly prepared to share with family and friends.
Serves 6. Preparation Time: 30 mins Cooking Time: 20 mins
Ingredients for the dough
- ½ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ½ Cup Sugar
- 2 Eggs, Beaten
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
- 2-3 Cups Flour Filling
For the filling:
- 2 Pounds Mizithra Cheese (Ricotta Can Do As Well)
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 2 tbsp Sugar
- 1 Egg Yolk
- 2 tbsp Flour
- Lemon Leaves
Cooking Instructions:
- For the dough, whisk together the sugar, baking powder and flour.
- Add the Olive Oil, gently folding with a spoon.
- Stir in the eggs and mix until the dough stiffens. Knead the dough until it softens
- Now for the filling, mix the cheese, cinnamon, sugar, egg yolk and flour in a separate bowl until well blended.
- Preheat the oven to 180ºC
- On a flat surface, sprinkle some flour and roll the dough mixture
- Cut circles approx. 10cm in diameter.
- Place a spoon of the cheese mixture in the centre of the cut dough and raise the rim of the dough around the cheese. Make sure the cheese shows in the centre.
- Brush with the lightly beaten egg and sprinkle with cinnamon powder.
- Bake for 20 minutes until lightly brown in colour. After removing, place lemon leaves on top,. So the pastry cools whilst absorbing the flavour from the leaf. Remove the leaf before eating!