Indulge in the luxurious taste of this multi-layered dessert, which combines crispy shredded phyllo dough with a smooth and creamy custard, all topped with fluffy whipped cream and garnished with roasted, crushed almonds. This dessert is an elegant composition of textures and flavors, perfect for showcasing your culinary skills and impressing your guests.
Why You'll Love This: This dessert offers a delightful combination of crunch from the phyllo and the rich creaminess of homemade custard, enhanced with a delicate sweetness from the syrup infused with cinnamon and lemon. The whipped cream adds a light and airy finish that complements the denser layers beneath, while the almonds provide a nutty crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft layers.
Perfect Occasion: Ideal for festive gatherings, holiday dinners, or as a special treat for Sunday meals with family. It's sophisticated enough for formal events and delightful for casual celebrations. Each component can be prepared ahead of time, making it convenient for entertaining.
Decoration Tips: For an even more visually appealing dessert, consider piping the whipped cream on top of the custard using a star nozzle to add texture and elegance. Garnish with additional cinnamon sticks or lemon zest for a hint of color and to hint at the flavors within the syrup.
Ingredients:
- Syrup:
- 500g water
- 600g granulated sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Lemon peel
- 1 tbsp honey
- Custard:
- 6 egg yolks
- 200g granulated sugar
- 15g vanilla sugar
- 90g cornstarch
- 1L whole milk
- Base:
- 500g shredded phyllo dough
- 150g unsalted butter, melted
- Whipped Cream:
- 500ml heavy cream
- 50g powdered sugar
- Topping:
- Roasted and crushed almonds
Instructions:
- Prepare the Syrup:
- Combine water, granulated sugar, cinnamon stick, and lemon peel in a pot and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, remove from heat, stir in honey, and set aside to cool completely.
- Make the Custard:
- Whisk egg yolks with both sugars until well mixed.
- Stir in cornstarch.
- Heat milk in a separate pot until boiling, then gradually add to the egg mixture while continuously stirring.
- Return the mixture to the pot and heat until it thickens into a creamy texture.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 45 minutes.
- Prepare the Phyllo Base:
- Preheat oven to 180°C (356°F).
- Butter a baking pan, layer 1/3 of the phyllo, and drizzle with 1/3 of the melted butter. Repeat this process twice more.
- Bake for 1 hour, flipping halfway through for even browning.
- Pour the cooled syrup over the baked phyllo and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Assemble the Dessert:
- Spread the chilled custard over the syrup-soaked phyllo.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Add Whipped Cream Topping:
- Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Spread over the custard.
- Final Touches:
- Sprinkle with roasted and crushed almonds before serving.
Enjoy this exquisite layered phyllo dessert, a perfect blend of textures and flavors that make each bite a delightful experience.