This Cranberry Orange Soufra is a deliciously decadent Greek dessert. It’s a ruffled phyllo pie with a creamy custard, cranberries and a hint of fresh orange.
Who’s up for an absolutely decadent Greek dessert?
Decadent Cranberry Orange Soufra
Have you guys ever even heard of a soufra? I hadn’t.
A few weeks back a Lemon Blueberry Soufra popped up in my Instagram feed and I was immediately in love.
First of all, I’ve always loved the blueberry lemon combination and second of all anything with phyllo and count me in. So flaky and buttery. It’s irresistible.
I knew I’d need to give the recipe a try.
The blueberry lemon combination was of course delish, but I decided to change things up just a smidge and make my version cranberry orange, otherwise I followed the recipe to a T.
What I love about this Greek dessert is that you really only need a handful of ingredients. And I know, I know…phyllo is not the easiest to work with, but honestly the effort is totally worth it. I shared mine with friends and they enjoyed it as much as I did.
Cranberry Orange Soufra Ingredients
- phyllo pastry
- heavy cream
- granulated sugar
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- oranges
- dried cranberries
- unsalted butter
- confectioners’ sugar
I decided to plump my dried cranberries up some before adding to the soufra, so I added them to a measuring cup and poured some super hot water over them and let them stand for about 20 minutes before draining and then adding.
I also used the zest of two medium oranges for this recipe which gave it a nice refreshing orange flavor.
First, you’ll remove your phyllo dough from the freezer and let it come to room temperature. Then you’ll combine your heavy cream, sugar, eggs and orange zest in a bowl and whisk together.
Once the phyllo is at room temperature, you will lay one sheet out and brush it with some of the melted butter. You’ll add another sheet on top of the buttered sheet and using your fingers you’ll fold the pastry in an accordian-like design. It’s then time to transfer it to the center of a 12-inch round baking dish and coil it like a rose. Take a peek at Mary’s video.
You will continue with the remaining phyllo pastry, placing it around the center rose until your dish is full. You will most likely only find phyllo dough in a 16 ounce box. You’ll only use 12 ounces. You can freeze the remainder for another recipe.
You will brush the top of the phyllo with the remaining butter and bake for about 15 minutes until golden brown. Then you’ll sprinkle a few of the cranberries on top of the phyllo before gently pouring the custard mixture over the top and then sprinkling the remaining cranberries over top. The soufra will bake for 30 additional minutes until it’s puffed up and golden.
You can serve your soufra warm with a dusting of confectioners’ sugar or top or even with some fresh whipped cream on the side. I guarantee this one’s going to be a hit!
Please let me know if you give the recipe a try. And if you have any questions about the recipe, just drop a comment below. Enjoy!
A Few Cook’s Notes for Cranberry Orange Soufra
Mary has a fabulous video on her Instagram page with step by step directions on how to make the lemon blueberry version. Be sure to check it out.
Make sure to remove your phyllo from the freezer to come to room temperature before starting the recipe.
More Delicious Greek Recipes to Enjoy
Cranberry Orange Soufra
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 2/3 cup dried cranberries
- 12 oz. phyllo dough, you will most likely only find phyllo dough in a 16-oz. package. You can freeze the remainder for another recipes
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 5 large eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 2 medium oranges, zested with a box grater
- confectioners' sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Place your cranberries in a small heatproof bowl. Pour some boiling water over the cranberries and let sit for 20 minutes. Drain. Set aside.
- Remove your phyllo dough from the freezer and let it come to room temperature.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, whisk together heavy cream, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla and orange zest. Set aside.
- Lay one sheet of the phyllo pastry on a work area with the shortest side facing you. Brush the sheet with some of the melted butter. Add another sheet on top of the buttered sheet and using your fingers you'll fold the pastry in an accordian-like design. Transfer it to the center of a 12-inch round baking dish and coil it like a rose. Repeat with the remaining phyllo, placing the accordian-like sheets around the center rose until your dish is full (as picture above).
- Brush the top of the phyllo pastry with any remaining butter and bake for 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove from the oven a scatter a few of the dried cranberries over the top. Gently pour the custard over the top of the baked phyllo and scatter the remaining cranberries over the top.
- Bake for another 30 minutes until puffy and golden. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before sprinkling with confectioners' sugar. Cut into wedges to serve.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Mary Kouzina
Debra L Couch
Hi!
Does this stay fresh for a day or two? Or does it need to be served immediately?
Looking forward to trying it!
Mary Ann
I would definitely serve immediately Debra. Enjoy!
Ellen
We made the lemon blueberry version of this and it was delicious. The custard though setteled in the bottom like scrambled eggs. Is this a common result? Is there a trick to getting it more evenly distributed in the filo dough?
Mary Ann
Hmmm. I did not have that issue Ellen. Make sure your custard ingredients are well whisked together before pouring over the filo pastry.