Can you say “kok” (coke) or “ko ka kia”?
If you’re from Greece you’re probably smiling right now. If you’re not, you are probably asking yourself? Did she say coke? Really?
To begin with, Kok is not, blow, coke, snow, charlie, c, or nose candy! Nor is it your carbonated beverage drink. It is actually your greek equivalent to the Boston cream pie. And of course it is definitely not a pie. It’s sort of like a cookie and sort of like a cake: Two palm-size (or smaller) circles of soft, cakey cookie with creamy pastry cream filling in between, dipped in light simple syrup, and topped with a chocolate glaze. A glaze that artfully drips onto the sides of the kok. 
Kok is a popular dessert in Greece, and is fairly easy to make. It’s also easy to find fresh ready made kok at any zaxaroplasteio (pastry shop). A dessert fit for all occasions which is the reason for it’s popularity. Well that and of course the chocolate glaze. A thin layer of glaze, or a thicker ganache layer made with melted chocolate and cream dresses its top. However, its the combination of vanilla pastry cream filling and chocolate topping is what gives it that defined balance of flavors. You can actually taste each component of the kok without any of it overpowering the other. An amazing experience for the tongue, wouldn’t you say?
You can also find a few other flavors of Kok. Lots of pastry shops make a strawberry custard version topped with chocolate glaze which is seasonal, as well as a chocolate filled kok rolled into coconut. The traditional flavored kok is that, that no one seems to get enough of. So whatever flavor you decide to indulge in or bring as a gift to a friend it is sure to be a hit!
Enjoy!
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Kok
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 35-40 1x
Description
35 to 40 of these little treats are made from one batch.
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 2/3 cup (160 ml) of sugar
- 6 eggs, separated
- 1 cup (240 ml) of flour
- 6 1/4 tbsp (95 ml) of cornstarch
For the filling:
- 1 cup + 3 1/2 oz of whole milk
- 2/3 cup (160 ml) of heavy cream
- 6 tbsp + 1 tsp (100 ml) of sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) of cornstarch
For the syrup:
- 2/3 cup (160 ml) of water
- 3/4 cup (180 ml) of sugar
For the chocolate glaze:
- 4 tbsp (60 ml) cocoa powder
- 5 tbsp (75 ml) sugar
- 4 tbsp (60 ml) water
- 2 oz (60 g) margarine
- 1 egg yolk, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 390F (200C).
- Cream 3/4 of the sugar and the egg yolks. Beat the remaining sugar and egg whites to stiff peak stage. Add half the egg white mixture to the egg yolk mixture, stir lightly and slowly add the the flour and cornstarch. When mixed, add the remaining egg white mixture.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using a pastry bag, squeeze out small cookies the size and shape of vanilla wafers: circles about 1 1/2 inch in diameter and 1/4 inch high. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden. Cool on a rack.
- Place milk and cream in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Combine sugar, cornflour, egg and egg yolk, and add 1/3 of the warmed milk and cream mixture before it boils. Stir well, then pour back into the saucepan and continue to stir. As soon as the cream melds and begins to bubble, remove from heat. Empty the cream into a clean bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside to cool.
- When the cream cools, stir gently with a wire whisk to soften, then place a small amount of cream (1-2 tsp) of cream on the flat side a cookie and place the flat side of another on top to create each pastry.
- Boil the sugar and water together for 2 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, then dip one side of the filled kok cookie in the syrup. Set aside, syrup side up, on wax paper.
- Prepare the chocolate icing by melting the margarine and stir in all the ingredients but the egg yolk. When the mixture is smooth and well combined, stir in the egg yolk. Pour chocolate icing over the cakes. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving..
- Dip the kok into the chocolate glaze on the same side as the syrup.
- Refrigerate in a covered pan or dish for 1/2 hour before serving.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 kok pastries
- Calories: 110
Frequently Asked Questions
What is kok, and how does it compare to a Boston cream pie?
Kok is Greece’s answer to the Boston cream pie: two palm-sized circles of soft, cakey cookie sandwiched around vanilla pastry cream, dipped in a light sugar syrup, and finished with a chocolate glaze that drips down the sides. Unlike the American version, each kok is individual and bite-sized. One batch makes 35 to 40 pieces.
Why does the cookie dough use both flour and cornstarch, and why do you separate the eggs?
The 1 cup of flour and 6 1/4 tbsp of cornstarch together produce a lighter, more tender crumb than flour alone. Separating the 6 eggs lets you beat the whites to stiff peaks and fold them in last. That is what gives the cookies their cakey, airy texture without any leavening agent.
What makes the traditional Greek chocolate glaze different from a ganache?
This glaze is built from cocoa powder, sugar, water, and margarine rather than melted chocolate and cream. It sets into a thinner, shinier coat that drips cleanly over the sides of each kok. Pastry shops sometimes use a ganache instead, but the classic version relies on this cocoa-and-margarine formula.
Why do the assembled kok need to be refrigerated before serving?
Refrigerate the glazed pastries in a covered pan for at least 30 minutes. This gives the chocolate glaze time to set firm and lets the pastry cream stabilize so it holds its shape when you bite in. Skip the chill and you risk a smeared glaze and a runny filling.
Thanks Pam I’m making this for a Greek food day project ??
So good!!
Allow me a correction: “kok” is not pronounced as “coke”, we don’t drag out vowels in Greek. It is a very short “o”. ????
http://www.ilearngreek.com/Lessons/alphabet.L1.asp
These are my favorite treats when I go to Greece to see my family, so I tried to make them at home. I tried doing the cookie part, but it turned into a flat crisp. I tried again, but got the same result. Anyone know why?
I can say kok :) These look great