Cherry and Cheese Cake is a dessert that perfectly combines the sweet-tart flavor of cherries with the creamy richness of the cheese filling, quickly becoming a favorite at any meal. This recipe is simple yet impressive, making it ideal for both festive occasions and relaxing family afternoons. I will guide you step by step in preparing this delicious cake, providing useful tips and information about the ingredients to ensure you achieve perfect results every time.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 40-45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 8-10 servings
Necessary ingredients:
*For the base:*
- 2 large eggs
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 100 g unsalted butter, melted
- 100 ml milk
- 100 ml plain yogurt
- 1 packet of vanilla or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- A pinch of baking powder
- Flour (approximately 150-200 g, enough to achieve a batter thicker than pancake batter)
*For the cheese filling:*
- 250 g cottage cheese (preferably well-drained)
- 150 g granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 teaspoon rum essence (optional)
- Fresh pitted cherries (approximately 200-300 g, depending on preference)
Step by step:
1. Preparing the ingredients: Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature. This will help them blend more effectively. Buy fresh, small, juicy cherries that will add delicious flavor to the cake.
2. Making the base: In a large bowl, beat the 2 eggs with a pinch of salt using an electric mixer or whisk. Mix until the eggs double in volume and become frothy. Gradually add the sugar and continue mixing until the mixture becomes a fluffy cream.
3. Adding wet ingredients: To the egg mixture, add the melted butter (let it cool slightly in the meantime), yogurt, milk, and vanilla essence. Mix well until everything is homogeneous.
4. Incorporating dry ingredients: In another bowl, sift the flour and baking powder. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, gently folding with a spatula. This will prevent lumps from forming. The resulting batter should be thicker than pancake batter but not excessively dense.
5. Preparing the baking pan: Line a baking tray (approximately 20x30 cm) with parchment paper or grease it with butter and sprinkle with flour. This step is essential to prevent the cake from sticking.
6. Baking the first half of the base: Pour half of the batter into the prepared tray and level it evenly. Place the tray in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 10-12 minutes, until the batter is set but not browned.
7. Preparing the cheese filling: In a blender or food processor, combine the cottage cheese, sugar, the 2 eggs, sour cream, and rum essence. Blend until you achieve a smooth and homogeneous cream. Taste the filling and adjust the sugar if necessary.
8. Assembling the cake: Remove the tray from the oven and add the cheese filling, spreading it evenly over the first half of the batter. Add the pitted cherries, sprinkling them randomly to ensure an even flavor.
9. Finishing the baking: Pour the remaining batter over the cheese filling and cherries, smoothing it out. Put the tray back in the oven for another 30-35 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and passes the toothpick test (insert a toothpick in the center of the cake; if it comes out clean, it’s done).
10. Cooling and serving: Allow the cake to cool completely in the tray before cutting it into pieces. Once cooled, cut the cake into squares and dust generously with powdered sugar for a special touch. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast of textures and flavors.
Serving suggestions: This cake is perfect alongside a cup of green tea or a strong espresso. You can also experiment with other seasonal fruits, such as raspberries or blueberries, for an equally delicious variation.
Tips and variations: If you want to make the cake less sweet, reduce the amount of sugar in the filling. You can also replace the cottage cheese with ricotta for a smoother texture. Additionally, adding lemon or orange zest to the cheese mixture will provide an extra hint of freshness.
Calories and nutritional benefits: Each serving of cherry and cheese cake contains approximately 250-300 calories, depending on the ingredients used. Cottage cheese provides protein and calcium, while cherries are rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber, contributing to a healthy diet.
In conclusion, cherry and cheese cake is not only a delicious dessert but also an excellent way to enjoy seasonal fruits. Experiment with the ingredients and create your own style, and each slice will become a true delight for your loved ones. Enjoy cooking and don’t hesitate to share your results with friends and family!
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 40-45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 8-10 servings
Necessary ingredients:
*For the base:*
- 2 large eggs
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 100 g unsalted butter, melted
- 100 ml milk
- 100 ml plain yogurt
- 1 packet of vanilla or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- A pinch of baking powder
- Flour (approximately 150-200 g, enough to achieve a batter thicker than pancake batter)
*For the cheese filling:*
- 250 g cottage cheese (preferably well-drained)
- 150 g granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 teaspoon rum essence (optional)
- Fresh pitted cherries (approximately 200-300 g, depending on preference)
Step by step:
1. Preparing the ingredients: Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature. This will help them blend more effectively. Buy fresh, small, juicy cherries that will add delicious flavor to the cake.
2. Making the base: In a large bowl, beat the 2 eggs with a pinch of salt using an electric mixer or whisk. Mix until the eggs double in volume and become frothy. Gradually add the sugar and continue mixing until the mixture becomes a fluffy cream.
3. Adding wet ingredients: To the egg mixture, add the melted butter (let it cool slightly in the meantime), yogurt, milk, and vanilla essence. Mix well until everything is homogeneous.
4. Incorporating dry ingredients: In another bowl, sift the flour and baking powder. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, gently folding with a spatula. This will prevent lumps from forming. The resulting batter should be thicker than pancake batter but not excessively dense.
5. Preparing the baking pan: Line a baking tray (approximately 20x30 cm) with parchment paper or grease it with butter and sprinkle with flour. This step is essential to prevent the cake from sticking.
6. Baking the first half of the base: Pour half of the batter into the prepared tray and level it evenly. Place the tray in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 10-12 minutes, until the batter is set but not browned.
7. Preparing the cheese filling: In a blender or food processor, combine the cottage cheese, sugar, the 2 eggs, sour cream, and rum essence. Blend until you achieve a smooth and homogeneous cream. Taste the filling and adjust the sugar if necessary.
8. Assembling the cake: Remove the tray from the oven and add the cheese filling, spreading it evenly over the first half of the batter. Add the pitted cherries, sprinkling them randomly to ensure an even flavor.
9. Finishing the baking: Pour the remaining batter over the cheese filling and cherries, smoothing it out. Put the tray back in the oven for another 30-35 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and passes the toothpick test (insert a toothpick in the center of the cake; if it comes out clean, it’s done).
10. Cooling and serving: Allow the cake to cool completely in the tray before cutting it into pieces. Once cooled, cut the cake into squares and dust generously with powdered sugar for a special touch. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast of textures and flavors.
Serving suggestions: This cake is perfect alongside a cup of green tea or a strong espresso. You can also experiment with other seasonal fruits, such as raspberries or blueberries, for an equally delicious variation.
Tips and variations: If you want to make the cake less sweet, reduce the amount of sugar in the filling. You can also replace the cottage cheese with ricotta for a smoother texture. Additionally, adding lemon or orange zest to the cheese mixture will provide an extra hint of freshness.
Calories and nutritional benefits: Each serving of cherry and cheese cake contains approximately 250-300 calories, depending on the ingredients used. Cottage cheese provides protein and calcium, while cherries are rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber, contributing to a healthy diet.
In conclusion, cherry and cheese cake is not only a delicious dessert but also an excellent way to enjoy seasonal fruits. Experiment with the ingredients and create your own style, and each slice will become a true delight for your loved ones. Enjoy cooking and don’t hesitate to share your results with friends and family!
Ingredients
* For the dough: * 2 eggs * 100 g sugar * 100 g butter * 100 ml milk * 100 ml yogurt * vanilla * 1 baking powder * flour to make a thicker dough than pancake batter * For the cheese filling: * 250 g cottage cheese * 150 g sugar * 2 eggs * 3 tablespoons sour cream * rum essence