Extra Syrupy Greek Yogurt Cake with Oranges (Portokalopita)

Fluffy and colourful with the moist of scented syrup! A mouthwatering Greek yogurt cake with the aromas and blends of fresh oranges and cinnamon. Go over the top and serve with a full spoon of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup!

Ingredients

• 200g yogurt (2% fat)
• 300 ml corn oil
• 300 ml icing sugar
• 300ml orange juice
• 20g baking powder
• zest of 1 1/2 orange
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 450g phyllo dough

For the syrup

• 400ml water
• 400ml sugar
• zest of 1 orange
• 1 cinnamon stick (optional)

Directions

1. Unwrap the phyllo dough from the plastic sleeve; place the sheets on a large surface and leave at room temperature for 20 minutes, in order to dry well. Alternatively, spread a few on a large baking tray and bake at 100C, until dry; repeat with the rest.
2. To prepare this greek yogurt cake, start first by preparing the syrup. Pour into a pot the water, the sugar and the orange zest  (and a cinammon stick) and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved and the syrup has thickened. Leave aside to cool.
3. In the meantime prepare the mixture for the yogurt cake. Pour the corn oil into a large bowl, add the sugar and whisk. Add the yogurt, the orange juice, the orange zest and the vanilla extract and whisk well, until the ingredients combine and the mixture is smooth. Add the baking powder, and blend lightly.
4. Tear the sheets of the phyllo dough into small pieces, using your hands and add into the mixture; whisk well
5. Using a cooking brush, oil the bottom and the sides of a baking tray (approx.20×30) and pour in the mixtute. bake in preheated oven at 170-180C for 40-50 minutes until, nicely coloured and cooked through. Check if it is ready, by making a hole with a knife. If the knife comes out clean, then the cake is ready.
6. To finish the yogurt cake, ladle slowly the cold syrup over the hot cake (allow each ladle of syrup to be absorbed, before ladling again).
7. Allow time for the syrup to be absorbed and put in the refrigerator. Greek yogurt cake is ideally served cold, not hot, so that it does not crumble.