Cheese Pearl Cake

Cheese Pearl Cake – a delight that combines authentic flavors and a velvety texture in an irresistible way. This recipe is taken from Nadina, a dear and talented cook, and it quickly became a favorite in my kitchen. With a combination of simple and easily accessible ingredients, this cake is perfect for any occasion, from parties to family gatherings. Let’s discover together how we can recreate this wonderful cake!

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients:

- 3 large eggs
- 600 g natural yogurt
- 200 g sour cream
- 250 g unsalted cottage cheese
- 75 g melted butter
- 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar (about 300 g)
- 1 cup of cornmeal (about 150 g)
- 1/2 cup of white flour (about 75 g)
- 1 packet of baking powder
- 100 g raisins
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 50 g dark chocolate
- 4 tablespoons liquid cream

Preparation:

1. Prepare the ingredients: Start by gathering all the ingredients. It is essential to have everything at hand to facilitate the cooking process. Make sure the yogurt and sour cream are at room temperature, which will help in homogenizing the mixture.

2. Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the eggs together with the sugar until the mixture becomes creamy and slightly frothy. This step is crucial as the incorporated air will make the cake fluffier. Add the yogurt, sour cream, and vanilla essence and continue mixing until homogeneous.

3. Incorporate the dry ingredients: In another bowl, mix the cornmeal, white flour, and baking powder. This mixture of dry ingredients will add structure to the cake. Gradually incorporate them into the wet mixture, gently mixing with a spatula or wooden spoon to avoid lumps.

4. Add the butter and cheese: Melt the butter and let it cool slightly, then incorporate it into the cake mixture. Add the cottage cheese and raisins, gently mixing to avoid crushing the raisins.

5. Prepare the baking pan: Grease a baking tray with butter or use parchment paper, ensuring that the cake will release easily after baking. Pour the mixture into the tray and smooth the surface.

6. Melted chocolate: In a small bowl, melt the dark chocolate in a bain-marie or microwave, mixing with the liquid cream until you achieve a homogeneous mixture. Carefully pour the chocolate mixture over the batter in the tray, using a spatula to create a marbled effect if you want a more appealing presentation.

7. Bake the cake: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Bake the cake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. It is important not to open the oven door in the first 30 minutes to avoid the cake sinking.

8. Cool the cake: Once the cake is baked, let it cool in the tray for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a rack to cool completely. This is the ideal time to think about a possible serving alongside a scoop of ice cream or a fruit sauce.

9. Serving: The Cheese Pearl Cake is best if refrigerated for a few hours or overnight. This will allow the flavors to intensify. When you are ready to serve it, cut it into squares or triangles and enjoy it with a cup of tea or coffee.

Useful tips:

- Variations: You can add fresh or candied fruits to the mixture, such as blueberries or apricots, to bring extra flavor. Also, replace the cottage cheese with ricotta for a different texture.
- Alternative sweeteners: If you want to reduce the amount of sugar, try using honey or maple syrup, being careful to adjust the liquid quantities in the recipe.
- Calories and nutritional benefits: This cake has about 250 calories per serving but is rich in protein due to the cottage cheese and yogurt, making it a healthier choice than many other cakes. Additionally, yogurt brings beneficial probiotics for the digestive system.

Frequently asked questions:

- Can the cake be frozen? Yes, the cake can be frozen, but it is best to portion it before doing so. Make sure to wrap it well to prevent freezer burn.
- Can I use other types of cheese? Yes, you can experiment with cottage cheese or goat cheese, but you may need to adjust the sugar amount depending on the sweetness of the cheese.

Try this Cheese Pearl Cake recipe and you will discover why it quickly became a favorite in my kitchen. Whether you serve it on a special occasion or just to treat yourself, this cake will bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones. Enjoy!