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    Home » Recipes » Greek Desserts and Sweets

    Sweet Cretan cheese pastries - tarts

    Modified: Aug 20, 2023 · Published: Oct 19, 2016 by Makos

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These sweet cretan cheese pastries are basically the traditional greek version of cheesecake. Full of aroma, they 're an easy and delicious dessert!

    sweet_cretan_cheese_tarts

    If you’ve ever been in Crete during the Orthodox Easter, surely you have experienced some unique traditions and tasted festive treats that women make to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, like these sweet Cretan cheese pastries.

    Ok, I am not going to lie. Easter is not my favorite holiday, but Christmas. Partly because of the moody, romantic weather and the nostalgic feeling that travels through the air, and partly because of the warm, zesty smell of the kitchen and the oven that never seems to stop baking all kind of sweets and pastries.

    Yet, Easter has a whole different vibe. Since it is during spring, it signals the awakening of Mother Nature that has been silently sleeping during the harsh winter, waiting for the cold to wither away.

    It is a time of birth and re-birth, a time when the juices of the plants start to flow vigorously through their little veins, transferring nutrients, giving life to little sprouts later to become glorious flowers.

    And what better way to celebrate this awakening than to bake some traditional Cretan cheese tarts.

    sweet_cretan_cheese_tarts_2

    Now I know that Easter is a long way from now, but I wanted to share this recipe because I make it whenever I find some good quality fresh cream cheese (the cretan variety is called anthotiro).

    I have also made it with ricotta, which is similar in taste and texture, and it came out perfect!

    sweet_cretan_cheese_tarts_3

    In Crete, these treats are made by hand as individual little star-shaped tarts, and the better and more symmetric and “clean” their shape, the more accomplished the housewife that baked them! (check this link if you wanna see their traditional shape - text in Greek!).

    But don’t worry, because I have you covered…. Since this method requires a lot of labor and is time consuming, I came up with a way that is more simple, quick and easy! (I made them into tarts as you can see from the pictures).

    sweet_cretan_cheese_tarts_4

    Until now I don't know which part I like the most. The shell - something between a cake and a cookie - or the filling? Make them and tell me what's your favorite!

    These tarts have two little secrets that are important if you want to experience the authentic taste of this Cretan delicacy. Fresh leaves from a bitter orange tree and some mint (or spearmint) leaves.

    The first are used to cover the hot, freshly baked tarts so as to lend them a subtle but addictive aroma. In Crete, storing aromatics among goods is a common way to add aroma and flavor.

    My mom stores some cinnamon sticks and rose geranium leaves among our raisins (you can check this rose geranium tomato marmalade if you like rose geranium's sent).

    Mint leaves are used in the filling resulting in a tart with bright, fresh notes in every bite.

    You should give them a try, they are totally worth it!

    sweet_cretan_cheese_tarts_1

    Notes:
    The shell will rise a bit during baking. This is expected.

    If you want to try and make it in a round tart pan, a 10-inch diameter pan will fit best, but you may have a little left-over.

    See how to make vanilla sugar for all your cookies, cakes and desserts!

    Share this post if you liked it (share buttons at the top!) and don’t forget to subscribe for new recipes or follow me on Instagram,   Pinterest,   Facebook

    📖 Recipe

    sweet_cretan_cheese_tarts

    sweet cretan cheese pastries - tarts

    Makos
    These sweet cretan cheese pastries are basically the traditional greek version of cheesecake. Full of aroma, they 're an easy and delicious dessert!
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 40 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr
    Course Dessert, Sweet
    Cuisine Greek, Mediterranean
    Servings 12
    Calories 265 kcal

    Equipment

    • 2 rectangular tart pans 10x4 inches (25x10 cm)

    Ingredients
     

    For the dough:

    • ½ stick (60 grams) butter
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons sugar
    • 2 tablespoons milk
    • 1 teaspoon brandy
    • 1 egg
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • pinch of salt
    • 2 cups flour (sifted (pastry preferably, but you can use all purpose))

    For the filing:

    • 18 oz (500 grams) anthotiro or ricotta cheese (If you can't find, use cream cheese)
    • 1 medium egg
    • 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ cup sugar
    • 1 heaped teaspoon honey
    • 3 tablespoons flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking
    • 10-15 mint leaves (depending on your taste)
    • Egg wash (1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon milk and cinnamon for sprinkling)
    • 20-30 Bitter orange leaves (well washed and well dried.)

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven at 350°F (175˚C).
    • Beat butter, olive oil, sugar and salt until fluffy.
    • Add egg, milk, brandy and vanilla and mix well.
    • Mix baking powder with flour and add to the butter mixture.
    • Mix until a soft dough is formed and let it rest. (Don't overwork the dough)
    • In a food processor (or with a mixer) mix well all the ingredients for the filling except the mint.
    • Chop the mint finely and add it to the filling.
    • Divide dough in half. Take small pieces and start covering the tart pans. Cover bottom and sides. When done, level the surface with the back of a spoon.
    • Fill with the filling and very gently brush the top of the filling with eggwash.
    • Sprinkle some cinnamon and bake in the middle rack for 20-30 minutes or until edges are brown.
    • Place them hot in a big container, top them with the bitter orange leaves and cover with a cotton towel. Let them cool.
    • Eat.

    Notes

    After the second day, store in an airtight container in the fridge for another 4-5 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 265kcal
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    sweet_cretan_cheese_tarts_8

    Κράτα το

    Κράτα το

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    1. Vita says

      January 29, 2017 at 9:31 pm

      Thank you for the link! Nice new shapes for kalitsounia-lihnarakia!

      Reply
      • Makos says

        January 29, 2017 at 10:30 pm

        My pleasure! You have a wonderful site! Preserving and documenting traditional recipes is something I admire! 🙂

        Reply
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