Cottage cheese cake

Cottage Cheese and Ladyfinger Cake: A Delicacy with a Sweet Story

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Total time: 2 hours
Number of servings: 8-10

Who doesn’t love to indulge in a delicious dessert that combines creamy texture with a crispy base? This cottage cheese and ladyfinger cake recipe is not only tasty but also a true feast for the eyes. With a rich history in pastry traditions, this dessert is perfect for any occasion, whether it's a birthday, a celebration, or simply a quiet evening at home. Let’s embark on this delightful preparation together!

Necessary ingredients:

For the base:
- 200 g ladyfingers
- 130 g melted butter
- 25 g cocoa

For the cottage cheese cream:
- 500 g cottage cheese (fresh cottage cheese is ideal)
- 250 ml sour cream
- 250 ml liquid cream
- 4 eggs (preferably at room temperature)
- 200 g sugar
- 3 packets of vanilla sugar
- 1 packet of vanilla Creme Ole
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch

For decoration:
- Whipped cream for topping
- Powdered sugar for sprinkling

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Preparing the base: Start by grinding the ladyfingers in a food processor until they become a fine powder. Transfer them to a large bowl. Add the cocoa and mix well. At this point, the melted butter should be warm but not hot. Pour the butter over the ladyfinger and cocoa mixture and stir with a spatula until everything is well combined. In the end, you should have a mixture that, while loose, compacts easily when pressed.

2. Forming the base: Take a 24 cm round springform pan and line it with parchment paper if desired. Use the bottom of a glass to press the ladyfinger mixture into the pan, forming an even base. Make sure it is well packed so it doesn’t crumble during baking. Once finished, place the pan in the refrigerator to set.

3. Preparing the cream: In another bowl, add the cottage cheese, sugar, and vanilla sugar. Use a mixer to blend the mixture until smooth. Add the sour cream and eggs, continuing to mix until you achieve a fine composition. Then, add the liquid cream and mix again. Finally, incorporate the Creme Ole and cornstarch, mixing well to avoid lumps.

4. Baking the cake: Remove the base from the refrigerator and pour the cottage cheese cream over it. Helpful tips: If you have a larger pan, you can use a smaller amount of cream to avoid overflow issues. Place the pan in the preheated oven at 150 degrees Celsius and bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes. The cake is done when it is slightly firm to the touch in the center but does not jiggle too much.

5. Cooling and decorating: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool at room temperature. Then, transfer it to the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. This step is essential to allow the flavors to develop and to achieve the perfect texture.

6. Finalizing: When you are ready to serve the cake, remove the ring from the pan. If the cream has overflowed at the edges, don’t worry! You can decorate with whipped cream and powdered sugar to mask any imperfections. Add a sprinkle of grated chocolate or a few fresh fruits for an extra pop of color and flavor.

Serving suggestions:

This cake is excellent served plain, but you can experiment with toppings such as fruit sauce, jam, or a scoop of ice cream. A cup of herbal tea or an espresso will perfectly complement your dessert!

Nutritional information:

Each serving has approximately:
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 8 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g

Possible variations:

If you want to add a touch of originality, you can replace the cottage cheese with ricotta or add chocolate chunks to the cottage cheese cream. Also, an infusion of lemon or orange flavor will provide a fresh and vibrant taste.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Why does the cream puff up during baking?
The cream will puff up due to the air incorporated in the egg and cream mixture. It is a normal process, but make sure to respect the baking time to achieve a perfect texture.

2. Can I use another type of biscuit instead of ladyfingers?
Of course! Digestive biscuits or even cocoa biscuits can add a different flavor to the bases.

3. How can I improve the appearance of the cake?
Decorating with fresh fruits, grated chocolate, or a fruit glaze will make the cake look spectacular.

Now that you are equipped with all the necessary information, all that’s left is to get cooking. Discover the joy of creating a dessert that not only delights the taste buds but also brings smiles to the faces of your loved ones. Enjoy!