Greek Orange Syrup Cake (Portokalopita) Without Phyllo

This Homemade Orange Syrup Cake (Portokalopita) is a moist, fragrant Greek dessert made with simple pantry ingredients — no phyllo needed! A soft semolina-based cake is baked until golden, then soaked in a refreshing orange-cinnamon syrup for an irresistible treat. With its bright citrus flavor and syrupy sweetness, this easy orange cake is perfect for family gatherings, holiday tables, or whenever you crave a taste of Greece.

Greek Orange Syrup Cake (Portokalopita) Without Phyllo

Recipe by George Zolis

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: DessertCuisine: GreekDifficulty: Easy

Servings

20

servings

Prep time

25

minutes

Cooking time

45

minutes

Calories

380

kcal

Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

Moist and fragrant Greek orange syrup cake (Portokalopita) made without phyllo — just semolina, fresh orange juice, and a delicious homemade syrup.

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Ingredients

Metric US

• For the Syrup

• 800 g 800 Sugar

• 500 g 500 Orange Juice

• 500 g 500 Water

• Juice of 1/2 Lemon (or 1 tbsp Glucose Syrup)

• Peel of 1 Orange

• 2 2 Cinnamon Sticks

• For the Cake

• 6 6 Eggs

• 250 g 250 Sugar

• 20 g 20 Baking Powder

• 1 pinch 1 Salt

• Zest of 2 Oranges

• 250 g 250 Margarine (or butter) room temperature

• 250 g 250 Fine Semolina

• 120 g 120 Orange Juice

• 250 g 250 All-Purpose Flour

How to make Greek Orange Cake

• For the Syrup
• In a saucepan, combine the water, orange juice, orange peel, cinnamon sticks, sugar, and lemon juice (or glucose). Stir gently.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for 8 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let the syrup cool completely.
• For the Cake
• In a mixer, beat the eggs with the sugar until combined. Add the salt, orange zest, and orange juice. Stir in the semolina and mix on low speed.
• Add the margarine or butter and beat for 1 minute.
• In a separate bowl, mix the flour with the baking powder, then add to the batter. Mix on low speed until smooth.
• Let the mixture rest for 15 minutes.
• Grease a baking dish with butter, pour in the batter, and spread evenly.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C / 340°F, on the lower rack, for about 45 minutes.
• For the Syrup Soaking
• While the cake is still warm, pour the cooled syrup evenly over it.
• Allow the cake to absorb all the syrup and cool before serving.

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A Classic Greek Dessert Without Phyllo

When you think of Portokalopita, you probably imagine the traditional Greek orange pie made with phyllo sheets. This version, however, is a no-phyllo orange syrup cake that’s just as flavorful but even easier to make. The combination of semolina, fresh orange juice, and aromatic syrup creates a dessert that is both moist and refreshing.

Why This Recipe Works

• Simple Ingredients: Everything you need is likely already in your kitchen.
• Bright Citrus Flavor: Fresh orange juice and zest add a natural, refreshing sweetness.
• Moist Texture: The fine semolina gives structure while the syrup keeps the cake soft and juicy.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: This cake tastes even better the next day, as the flavors deepen.

Serving Ideas

This orange syrup cake is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with:

• A scoop of vanilla or mastiha ice cream.
• A dollop of whipped cream.
• Fresh orange slices for extra citrus brightness.

Whether you serve it at Sunday lunch, during the holidays, or as a sweet ending to a casual dinner, this Greek orange syrup cake without phyllo is guaranteed to impress.

Related Recipes You May Enjoy

If you enjoyed this sweet and zesty cake, try these other Greek desserts next:

• Skillet Apple Cake (Greek-Style Apple Pie): A quick stovetop dessert with caramelized apples and cinnamon.
• Greek Samali Syrup Cake with Mastiha – Traditional Semolina Dessert Recipe
• Greek Halva Jelly – Traditional Caramelized Dessert from Village Festivals