The Gurian pie, also known as the Christmas pie, is a special type of khachapuri traditionally prepared in the Guria region of Georgia.

It is mainly made during the Christmas season and stands out for its unique filling of cheese and boiled eggs. This crescent-shaped pastry is a festive favorite, symbolizing the culinary traditions and holiday spirit of Guria.

Gurian Pie (Christmas Pie)

Total Time 3 hours
Servings 6

Ingredients

For the dough:

  • 500 g flour (you might need an additional 100-150 g for kneading)
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tbsp yeast
  • 300 ml warm water (should feel slightly hot to the touch)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

For the filling:

  • 6 eggs
  • 600 g Imeretian cheese

For the egg wash:

  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 tbsp yogurt

Instructions 

Prepare the Dough:

  • Sift the flour into a large bowl.
  • In a small bowl, mix warm water, yeast, sugar, and salt. Stir well, cover with a cloth, and let it rest for 15-20 minutes to activate the yeast.
  • Pour the yeast mixture into the flour and knead the dough. Add the oil towards the end and knead until smooth.
  • Lightly oil the dough, cover it with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 2 hours.

Prepare the Filling:

  • Hard boil the eggs (about 6 minutes), peel, and slice them into 1 cm thick rounds.
  • Crumble the cheese with your hands (use less salty cheese for the best flavor).

Shape the Pies:

  • After the dough has risen, knead it again, adding extra flour as needed until it’s soft and non-sticky.
  • Divide the dough into 6 portions and roll each into a ball. Cover them with a cloth and let them rest for another 15-20 minutes.
  • Roll each dough ball into a circle. On one half, spread the cheese and arrange the sliced eggs. Fold the other half over to form a half-moon and pinch the edges to seal.

Bake:

  • Place the pies on a floured surface and brush them with the egg yolk and yogurt mixture.
  • Bake in a preheated oven at 250°C (482°F) with both top and bottom heat for 15-20 minutes. Bake until the pies turn golden brown on top.
    Your Gurian Christmas pies are ready to serve. Bon appétit! 🌟
Course: dinner, Pastry
Cuisine: georgian
Keyword: christmaspie, gurianpie, khachapuri
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Hello, I'm Medea, an endocrinology resident and avid cook. On this website, I share everything I love – delicious recipes, travel recommendations, and articles about healthy eating.