Easter cake

Easter cake is a dessert that perfectly blends tradition and innovation, offering a culinary experience full of flavor and texture. This easy-to-make recipe will transform your kitchen into a celebration of delicious flavors. Prepared with simple ingredients but yielding an impressive result, the Easter cake quickly becomes a family and friends' favorite. I invite you to discover with me how to make this delicious cake step by step.

Total preparation time: 2 hours
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 8

Ingredients

For the cocoa base:
- 100 g soft butter (at room temperature)
- 100 g sugar
- 1 egg
- 100 ml milk
- 200 g flour
- 1 baking powder
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 vanilla essence

For the cheese filling:
- 500 g cottage cheese (or ricotta)
- 2 egg yolks
- 100 g sugar
- 100 g soft butter (at room temperature)
- 1 vanilla essence
- 2 tablespoons semolina (optional, to thicken the mixture)

For the glaze:
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons butter

Preparing the cocoa base

1. First, mix the ingredients. In a bowl, add 100 g of soft butter and 100 g of sugar. Use a mixer to combine these ingredients until you achieve a creamy and fluffy composition. The secret here is to mix enough to incorporate air, which will help the bases rise.

2. Add the egg. Continue mixing and add one egg, mixing well. The composition should become homogeneous and have a pleasant texture.

3. Incorporate the milk. Add 100 ml of milk and mix again until homogeneous.

4. Flour and cocoa. In another bowl, combine 200 g of flour, 1 baking powder, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, and a vanilla essence. Incorporate the flour mixture into the wet composition, mixing until you obtain a slightly liquid dough, similar to that of a loaf.

Preparing the cheese filling

1. Mix the ingredients. In another bowl, add 500 g of cottage cheese, 2 egg yolks, 100 g of sugar, 100 g of soft butter, and a vanilla essence. Mix all the ingredients well. If the mixture is too liquid, feel free to add 2 tablespoons of semolina to thicken the filling.

2. Whip the egg whites. In another clean bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. This step is essential to give the cake an airy texture. Don’t forget to use a completely clean bowl and mixer to achieve the best foam.

3. Combine the mixtures. With a spatula, gently fold the whipped egg whites into the cheese mixture using slow, upward motions. This will maintain the air in the composition, giving the cake a fluffy texture.

Assembling the cake

1. Prepare the pan. Take a round baking pan and line it with a greased baking sheet so that the cake does not stick. This step is important for easily removing the cake from the pan after baking.

2. Pour the bases. Pour half of the cocoa dough into the pan, spreading it evenly on the bottom and slightly raising it on the sides (about 1 cm).

3. Add the cheese filling. Carefully pour the cheese filling over the cocoa base, ensuring it is evenly distributed.

4. Finish with the remaining dough. Use a spoon to slowly and evenly pour the rest of the cocoa dough over the cheese filling. You can use a knife to create a beautiful pattern by gently swirling the two mixtures together.

Baking

1. Set the oven. Preheat the oven to 150 degrees Celsius. Baking at a lower temperature will allow the cake to rise evenly and not burn.

2. Bake the cake. Place the pan in the oven and let it bake for about an hour. Use a toothpick to check if it's done – if it comes out clean, the cake is perfectly baked.

Preparing the glaze

1. Mix the ingredients. In a saucepan, combine 4 tablespoons of sugar, 3 tablespoons of water, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, and 2 tablespoons of butter. Heat over medium heat and stir until the sugar and butter melt completely.

2. Thicken the glaze. After the mixture starts to boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for a few minutes until it reaches a consistency similar to that of pancake batter.

3. Pour the glaze. After the cake has cooled slightly, pour the glaze over it, allowing it to cool for 15 minutes at room temperature. Then, place the cake in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours to let the glaze set.

Serving

Once the cake is completely cooled, you can slice it and serve it. It is delicious both plain and accompanied by a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. You can also add fresh fruits like raspberries or strawberries for a contrast of flavors.

Useful tips

- Types of cheese: You can experiment with different types of cheese, such as ricotta or whey, to achieve a unique flavor.
- Cocoa variations: If you want a more intense flavor, you can add a few drops of almond essence to the cocoa dough.
- Nutritional improvements: If you want a healthier version, you can replace some of the sugar with honey or natural sweeteners.

Nutritional benefits

This Easter cake contains cheese, which is an excellent source of calcium and protein. Additionally, cocoa brings antioxidants and may contribute to improved mood. With a moderate calorie content, this cake can be enjoyed guilt-free.

I hope this Easter cake recipe inspires you to spend time in the kitchen and enjoy a delicious dessert with your loved ones. Give it a try and don’t hesitate to share your impressions! Enjoy!