Cheese Pastry

Cheese Pasca – A Delicious Recipe for the Holidays

Cheese Pasca is a traditional dessert that brings together sweet and savory flavors in a perfect combination of textures and tastes. Over time, this recipe has been associated with religious holidays, being a staple on festive tables. This version is simple but offers a remarkable flavor, perfect for serving alongside loved ones. Let's dive into preparing this delicacy!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 500 g flour
- 25 g fresh yeast
- 150 g sugar
- 100 ml oil
- 3 egg yolks
- 250 ml warm milk
- Rum and vanilla essences

For the filling:
- 250 g cream cheese
- 2 eggs
- 100 g sugar
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons semolina
- 2 packets vanilla sugar
- Rum essence

Step by step:

Step 1: Prepare the leaven
Start by preparing the leaven. In a small bowl, add a tablespoon of flour and soak it with a little hot milk. Let it cool. Then, add the fresh yeast, which has been previously soaked in a little cold milk, and a teaspoon of sugar. Cover the bowl and let the leaven rise in a warm place for about 15 minutes, until it becomes frothy.

Step 2: Prepare the dough
In another bowl, mix the egg yolks with the remaining sugar and a teaspoon of salt until you get a creamy mixture. Add the warm milk and the previously prepared leaven. All ingredients should be added to the bread machine bowl in the mentioned order: first the liquids, then the flour and the leaven. During kneading, gradually pour in the remaining oil.

Useful tips: If you don't have a bread machine, you can knead the dough by hand, but make sure to work it enough for it to become elastic and homogeneous.

Step 3: Let the dough rise
After obtaining an elastic dough, divide it into two equal parts. Roll out one part on the bottom of a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Braid the other part into 3, forming a braid that you place on top of the dough in the tray, creating a ring. Let the dough rise in a warm place, covered with a clean towel, for 20 minutes.

Step 4: Prepare the filling
Meanwhile, prepare the filling. In a food processor, combine the cream cheese, eggs, sugar, flour, semolina, vanilla sugar, and rum essence. Blend until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous cream.

Step 5: Assemble the pasca
Once the dough has risen, carefully pour the cheese filling in the middle of the dough. Brush the edges with beaten egg to achieve a golden and appetizing crust.

Step 6: Baking
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Bake the pasca for about 30 minutes, or until it becomes golden and beautifully browned on top. Check with a toothpick: if it comes out clean from the filling, the pasca is ready.

Serving and suggestions
Let the pasca cool slightly before cutting it. It is delicious both warm and cold. You can serve it plain or with a berry sauce for a contrast of flavors. Additionally, a warm drink, such as herbal tea or flavored coffee, will pair perfectly with your pasca.

Nutritional information
This cheese pasca recipe contains carbohydrates from flour, proteins from cheese and eggs, as well as healthy fats from oil. It is a good choice for an occasional dessert, but when consumed in moderation, it can provide an energy boost due to its sugar content.

Possible variations
If you want to experiment, you can replace the cream cheese with ricotta or cottage cheese for a different texture. Adding raisins or candied fruits to the filling can provide an extra touch of sweetness. You can also flavor the dough with grated lemon zest for a fresh and invigorating taste.

Frequently asked questions
1. What can I use instead of fresh yeast?
You can use dry yeast, making sure to adjust the amount (about one-third of the fresh yeast quantity).

2. How can I prevent the dough from breaking?
Make sure you have kneaded the dough enough until it becomes elastic. Don't forget to let it rise for enough time.

3. Can I store the pasca?
Yes, the pasca can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. You can freeze it, and before serving, you can reheat it slightly in the oven.

I hope this recipe inspires you to try making cheese pasca and share it with your loved ones. It is more than just a dessert – it is a flavorful tradition that brings joy in every bite!