Description
Ruffled Milk Pie is a delicate and elegant dessert featuring buttery phyllo dough spirals baked to a golden crisp and filled with a smooth, aromatic custard flavored with vanilla, orange zest, and cinnamon. This unique pie offers a light yet indulgent treat perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Phyllo and Butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 8–10 sheets phyllo (thawed)
Custard Filling
- 1 ½ cups milk
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the phyllo spirals and custard pie.
- Prepare Pan: Brush a 9-inch cake pan with some of the melted butter, then line it with parchment paper, pressing it into the edges and allowing excess overhang for easy pie removal and to keep the custard contained.
- Prepare Phyllo Sheets: Lay the phyllo sheets on a baking sheet lined with plastic wrap, cover with another plastic wrap sheet and a damp towel to keep the phyllo moist and prevent drying out while working.
- Butter and Fold: Place one phyllo sheet horizontally on your workspace, gently brush with melted butter, then scrunch it accordion-style into a thin strip. Tears in the phyllo are okay.
- Form Spirals: Starting at one end of the folded strip, roll it loosely into a spiral shape.
- Arrange Spirals: Place the spiral in the center of the prepared pan. Repeat by creating additional spirals, placing them snugly around the center spiral to form a ring, fitting about 6 or 7 around the center without squashing them.
- Bake Phyllo: Bake the arranged phyllo spirals for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
- Cool Phyllo: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the phyllo to cool for about 10 minutes while you prepare the custard.
- Make Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, orange zest, ground cinnamon, and salt until fully combined.
- Add Custard: Gently pour the custard mixture over the cooled phyllo spirals, being careful not to disturb their arrangement.
- Bake Custard Pie: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the custard is set and firm to the touch.
- Cool Pie: Remove from oven and let the pie cool completely to room temperature.
- Finish and Serve: Dust the pie with powdered sugar and a pinch of ground cinnamon before serving for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Keep the phyllo sheets covered with a damp towel while working to prevent them from drying out and becoming brittle.
- Handle the phyllo gently as it can tear easily; slight tearing is normal and adds texture.
- The parchment paper lining helps in easy removal of the pie after baking and keeps custard contained.
- Allow the pie to cool completely to ensure the custard fully sets and slices cleanly.
- For an extra touch, sprinkle with powdered sugar and cinnamon just before serving to enhance flavor and presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: ruffled milk pie, phyllo dessert, custard pie, orange zest custard, cinnamon milk pie, elegant dessert
