Cheese and currant tart

Today is a truly special day - my birthday! 30 years ago, on a Good Friday and St. George's Day, a lively and charismatic girl was born. What better moment to celebrate than with a delicious tart! I invite you to join me in this virtual party, learning to prepare a sweet cheese and currant tart together. This recipe will surely become a star on your tables!

Sweet Cheese and Currant Tart

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 240 g wheat flour
- 150 g butter (at room temperature)
- 3 egg yolks
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 packet baking powder
- a pinch of salt

For the filling:
- 330 g sweet cheese (preferably Pilos type)
- 70 ml liquid cream
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 100 ml sweet milk
- 1 packet vanilla cream
- 2 packets vanilla sugar
- red currants (fresh or frozen, as preferred)

Preparing the tart

Step 1: Preparing the dough
1. Mixing the ingredients: In a large bowl, add the soft butter and brown sugar. Use a mixer to combine them until you get a creamy mixture of a light color.
2. Adding the yolks: Incorporate the 3 egg yolks, mixing well after each addition.
3. Mixing the dry ingredients: In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Then, gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, first mixing with the mixer, then gently kneading by hand. It is important not to over-knead to keep the dough tender.
4. Resting the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This step will help the dough firm up, making it easier to roll out.

Step 2: Preparing the filling
1. Mixing the ingredients: In a bowl, combine the sweet cheese with the liquid cream, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla cream. Mix well until you get a homogeneous mixture.
2. Adding the flavor: Finally, add the vanilla sugar, mixing gently to avoid incorporating air into the mixture.

Step 3: Assembling the tart
1. Rolling out the dough: Remove the dough from the fridge and divide it into two parts: one for the bottom of the tart and the other for the lattice on top. Roll out the first part between two pieces of plastic wrap, forming a round disc.
2. Lining the tart pan: Grease a tart pan with oil and line it with baking paper. Transfer the rolled-out dough into the pan, using the plastic wrap to avoid tearing it.
3. Preparing the filling: Prick the bottom of the tart with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking. Pour the cheese mixture into the pan.
4. Adding the currants: Sprinkle the drained currants on top of the filling. They will add a tart note, balancing the sweetness of the cheese.
5. Forming the lattice: Roll out the remaining dough and cut it into strips. Arrange them over the filling to form a lattice.

Step 4: Baking
1. Preheating the oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Baking the tart: Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until the tart is golden.

Step 5: Serving
1. Cooling: After baking, let the tart cool to room temperature, then transfer it to the fridge for a night. This step is essential to allow the flavors to intensify.
2. Serving: Serve the tart cold, dusted with sugar, alongside a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of cream. It is a perfect dessert to celebrate special moments with loved ones!

Chef's tip
To make the tart even more special, you can add some toasted almond flakes on top or replace the currants with other berries, such as raspberries or blackberries, to give it a personalized touch.

Nutritional information
This tart contains approximately 300 calories per serving, providing a good source of protein from the cheese and healthy fats from the butter. The currants add a boost of antioxidants and vitamin C, making it a healthy and delicious ingredient.

Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use other types of cheese?
Yes, you can experiment with cottage cheese or ricotta, but make sure to drain them well of excess liquid.

2. How can I keep the tart for longer?
The tart keeps well in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap, for up to 3 days.

3. Is it possible to freeze the tart?
Yes, you can freeze the tart before baking. Make sure to wrap it well in plastic wrap.

Possible variations
For a vegan version, you can replace the butter with vegan margarine and the cheese with a plant-based substitute. You can also experiment with different flavors by adding cinnamon or nutmeg to the filling.

I hope you enjoyed making this wonderful tart with me! I look forward to seeing how your creation turned out. Happy birthday to everyone celebrating today! Enjoy your meal!