Name: Milopita
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 3 medium eating apples; 220 g plain flour; 2 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg; Pinch of salt; 3 large eggs; 180 g granulated sugar; 120 ml extra virgin olive oil or melted butter; 1 tsp vanilla extract; Zest of 1 lemon; 90 g walnuts, roughly chopped; 50 g raisins, optional; 1 tbsp soft brown sugar, for the top

About Milopita

Milopita is a moist Greek apple cake scented with cinnamon, nutmeg and citrus. Apples run through the cake and across the top, while walnuts add texture and olive oil keeps the crumb tender.

Ingredients

3 medium eating apples
220 g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Pinch of salt
3 large eggs
180 g granulated sugar
120 ml extra virgin olive oil or melted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
Zest of 1 lemon
90 g walnuts, roughly chopped
50 g raisins, optional
1 tbsp soft brown sugar, for the top

Method

Heat the oven to 175°C and grease and line a 23 cm round cake tin.
Peel and core the apples. Dice about two-thirds and slice the remainder thinly for the top.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
Beat the eggs and sugar until slightly thickened, then mix in the olive oil, vanilla and lemon zest.
Fold in the dry ingredients, followed by the diced apple, walnuts and optional raisins.
Transfer to the tin and arrange the apple slices over the surface. Sprinkle with brown sugar and a little extra cinnamon.
Bake for 45 to 55 minutes until golden and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Cool for at least 20 minutes before removing from the tin.

A closer look

Plan your visit

Recipe tips

Use firm apples that keep some shape during baking.
Do not overmix once the flour is added.
Olive oil gives a more Mediterranean flavour and keeps the cake soft after cooling.
The cake is excellent the following day once the apple and spice flavours have settled.

What to serve with it

Serve plain with coffee, or add Greek yogurt, lightly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.

The story behind the dish

Milopita simply means apple pie or apple cake in Greek, and there are many family versions. This easy cake-style interpretation uses familiar Greek pantry ingredients and is especially suited to autumn and cooler-weather baking.

Where to try it in Corfu

Milopita may appear in bakeries, cafés and dessert counters rather than being a standard taverna dessert. Look for seasonal apple cakes and homemade sweets, particularly outside midsummer.