Ahhh Crinkle Cake 😍—that dramatic, crispy-on-top, custardy-inside dessert that looks fancy but is secretly easy. This is the viral phyllo crinkle cake everyone’s obsessed with.
Crinkle Cake (Phyllo Custard Cake)
Ingredients
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1 package phyllo dough, thawed
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½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Custard
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2 cups milk (whole is best)
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3 eggs
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¾ cup sugar
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1 tsp lemon zest (optional but 🔥)
Syrup (Optional but Traditional)
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½ cup sugar
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½ cup water
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1 tsp lemon juice
How to Make It
1. Crinkle the Phyllo
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Gently scrunch phyllo sheets like an accordion.
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Place upright in a buttered baking dish, filling it snugly.
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Brush generously with melted butter.
Bake 10–15 minutes until lightly golden.
2. Make the Custard
Whisk together milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest.
3. Pour & Bake Again
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Slowly pour custard over the warm phyllo.
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Let it soak for 5 minutes.
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Bake 30–35 minutes until set and deeply golden.
4. Optional Syrup Finish
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Simmer sugar + water 5 minutes.
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Add lemon juice.
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Pour over cake while hot.
How It’s Supposed to Be
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Top: shatteringly crisp
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Inside: soft, creamy, pudding-like
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Sweet but not heavy
Flavor Twists
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Orange blossom or rose water in the syrup
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Cinnamon sugar dusted on top
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Pistachio crumble finish
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Honey instead of syrup (chef’s kiss)
If you want:
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A less-sweet version
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Savory crinkle cake (feta + herbs 👀)
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Or a holiday showstopper version