Bougatsa (Cheese Filled Filo Pastry)

Celticevergreen's Note:

This recipe is from the Greek town of Ioannina. It can be made ahead and served cold or can be assembled up to 8 hours in advance and kept in the refrigerator until 1 hour before serving time. When ready, bake and serve.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 1 lb mascarpone or 1 lb cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 6 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup clarified butter
• 10 phyllo pastry sheets, thawed in the refrigerator if previously frozen
• powdered sugar

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla and beat with a mixer till creamy smooth.
2. Brush the bottom of a 10x14x2 inch baking pan or dish with the butter. Have ready the filo sheets, keeping them covered with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out. Lay a filo sheet in the bottom of the pan and brush with butter. Repeat, brushing with butter, 5 more times.
3. Pour the filling mixture over the stacked and buttered filo sheets. Drizzle the filling with a little melted butter, then layer 5 more filo sheets on top, again brushing each sheet.
4. Cover the pan and refrigerate until the butter firms up. Can be pre-assembled up to this point.
5. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
6. With a sharp knife, score the surface of the pastry through the top 5 sheets of filo dough into 10 diamonds or rectangles. Bake until golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer pastry to a rack and let cool for 10 minutes. Cut along the score marks and finish allowing to cool until warm or to room temperature. Dust with powdered sugar and serve.