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Bougatsa Chania Crete Greece by Authentic Food Quest

Bougatsa Recipe

This bougatsa recipe is for a deliciously authentic flaky traditional Cretan breakfast pastry. Made with only 5 ingredients, the bougatsa is wrapped in a golden brown phyllo package, sprinkled with sugar. This complete recipe guide with pictures and video will transport your breakfast experience to Crete, Greece in about 25 minutes.
4.88 from 8 votes
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Course: Recipes
Cuisine: Greek
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 232kcal
Author: Authentic Food Quest

Ingredients 

Instructions

  • Prepare the Bougatsa Filling
  • Place the cheese into a mixing bowl
  • Add the five tablespoons of flour and milk into the bowl
  • Mix well until the flour is well incorporated into the cheese
  • Add the corn oil and mix again

  • Prepare the Phyllo Sheets
  • Count 6 phyllo sheets and place them on a flat surface
  • Fold the phyllo sheets to form a triangle and carefully slice off the excess and set aside 
  • When you open up the phyllo sheets you should have a square
  • Using a pastry brush, lightly brush oil onto one phyllo sheet 
  • Then brush the second phyllo sheet
  • Place a second phyllo sheet on top of the first one and brush again with oil. 
  • Repeat the same process over again for the third phyllo sheet.
  • Once all three sheets have been brushed pour the mixture into the center of the phyllo sheets
  • Spread around the phyllo sheets leaving about 1 inch or 2.5 cm from the edges
  • Fold one corner of the phyllo sheets and then fold the opposite corner to meet in the middle
  • Repeat for the other sides and you should have a square - like a ‘square envelope’
  • Gently tap the envelope in the center to seal it
  • For the next three sheets, oil each one as before and place all three on top of each other
  • Gently take the cheese-filled envelope place it on opposite ends of the phyllo sheets, like a diamond
  • Brush with a little oil and fold again to make a slightly thicker square envelope
  • Using the pastry brush, apply a little oil on the bougatsa  
  • Flip the bougatsa around so the folds are on the bottom and place it a well oiled baking tray
  • Brush a little oil and place in a preheated oven and let it bake for 20 -25 minutes, until golden brown
  • Remove bougatsa and let it rest for about 5 to 10 minutes. 
  • Cut the bougatsa into squares and enjoy warm with a cup of coffee
  • Optional: Sprinkle granulated sugar over warm bougatsa before serving

Notes

  • Don’t worry if the phyllo sheets break when folding the bougatsa. Simply put them together as they are not noticeable in the finished product.  
  • Even though granulated sugar is traditionally used in Chania to sprinkle on bougatsa, powdered sugar and cinnamon are also used.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 48mg | Potassium: 82mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 218IU | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 0.5mg
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