Description
Crinkle Cake is a delightful dessert featuring layers of flaky phyllo dough baked to golden perfection, soaked in a rich custard, and finished with a luscious lemon-infused syrup. This cake offers a unique textural contrast with crispy, buttery phyllo and a soft, creamy center, topped optionally with powdered sugar and crunchy pistachios for an elegant touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Phyllo Layer
- 1 package phyllo dough (1 pound, thawed)
- 8 ounces unsalted butter (melted)
Custard
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon lemon juice
Optional Garnishes
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Chopped pistachios for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare your phyllo dough by unrolling it and covering it with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.
- Crinkle Phyllo: Take two sheets of phyllo at a time, crinkle them into accordion folds to create texture, then place these crinkled pieces into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bake Initial Phyllo: Bake the arranged phyllo for 10 minutes, then remove it from the oven and drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes to achieve a crisp, golden base.
- Prepare Custard: While the phyllo bakes, whisk together the whole milk, eggs, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until well combined and smooth.
- Bake Cake with Custard: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the baked phyllo layers and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the custard is set and the surface is golden brown.
- Make Syrup: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of water, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and lemon juice. Simmer over medium heat until the mixture thickens slightly, which should take about 10 minutes.
- Drizzle Syrup: Remove the cake from the oven and immediately drizzle the hot syrup evenly over the entire cake, allowing it to soak in and impart a sweet, tangy flavor.
- Cool and Garnish: Let the cake cool thoroughly to set the syrup and custard. Optionally, dust the top with powdered sugar and sprinkle chopped pistachios for color and crunch before serving.
Notes
- Handle phyllo dough carefully as it dries out quickly; always keep covered with a damp towel.
- The accordion style crinkling adds an interesting texture and helps the phyllo soak up the custard.
- Ensure the syrup is hot when poured over the cake for optimal absorption.
- For added flavor, you can add a splash of orange blossom water or rose water to the syrup.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days for best freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: Crinkle Cake, phyllo dough dessert, custard cake, lemon syrup cake, Mediterranean dessert, buttery phyllo cake
