Sweet cheese and meringue cake

Sweet cheese and meringue cake - a recipe from grandma's notebook

It's a beautiful day, and the desire to prepare a dessert that reminds me of childhood has brought me to the kitchen. This sweet cheese and meringue cake is a true treasure from my grandmother's recipe book. The enticing aromas, fluffy texture, and sweet-sour taste are the perfect ingredients to turn any ordinary day into a celebration.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 45-50 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients:

*For the base:*
- 5 egg yolks
- 9 tablespoons of sugar
- 10 tablespoons of milk
- 10 tablespoons of oil
- 12 tablespoons of flour
- 1 packet of baking powder (8 g)
- A pinch of salt

*For the cheese cream:*
- 500 g of sweet cow cheese
- 6 tablespoons of sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon of semolina
- 1 small bowl of raisins (or cranberries for a sour note)
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence
- Grated zest of one lemon

*For the meringue:*
- 5 egg whites
- 5 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vinegar
- A pinch of salt

Recipe history:
This sweet cheese cake has been made for generations, being a traditional dessert that has delighted taste buds over time. The combination of cheese and meringue is a classic choice, blending the creamy texture of cheese with the crunch of meringue, resulting in an explosion of flavors.

Preparation:

1. Preparing the base:
Start by preheating the oven to 180°C. In a large bowl, add the egg yolks and mix them with the sugar and salt until you get a fluffy and light-colored mixture. This is an important step, as the incorporated air will help the base to be fluffy.

2. Add the wet ingredients:
Gradually add the oil and milk to this mixture while continuing to mix. The oil will add moisture, while the milk will balance the texture.

3. Incorporate the flour:
In another bowl, mix the flour with the baking powder. Gradually add this mixture to the egg yolk mixture, mixing well with a spatula or wooden spoon until homogeneous.

4. Bake the base:
Line a baking tray (size 25x36 cm) with parchment paper and grease it with a little oil. Pour the base mixture into the tray and level the surface. Place the tray in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the base turns slightly golden and passes the toothpick test.

5. Prepare the cheese cream:
While the base is baking, prepare the cheese cream. In a bowl, add the sweet cow cheese, semolina, eggs, sugar, vanilla sugar, vanilla essence, and grated lemon zest. Mix well until you obtain a uniform and creamy mixture. If desired, you can add raisins or cranberries for a pleasant contrast.

6. Add the cream over the base:
Remove the tray from the oven and spread the cheese cream evenly over the baked base. Sprinkle the raisins on top and return the tray to the oven for 15-20 minutes, until the cream sets and takes on a light golden color.

7. Prepare the meringue:
In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt and vinegar until foamy. Gradually add the sugar, one tablespoon at a time, continuing to mix until you obtain a shiny and firm meringue.

8. Finalize the cake:
Remove the tray from the oven, spread the meringue evenly over the cheese cream, and return the tray to the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the meringue becomes slightly brown.

9. Cooling and serving:
After the cake is done, let it cool completely in the tray before cutting it. This will allow the meringue to stabilize and make cutting easier.

Useful tips:
- Use fresh cow cheese for better taste.
- If you prefer a more intense flavor, add a few drops of almond essence to the cheese cream.
- The vinegar in the meringue helps stabilize it, making it easier to cut the cake after baking.
- You can replace the raisins with cranberries or candied cherries for a different taste.

Delicious pairings:
This cake pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a berry sauce. Additionally, an herbal tea or flavored coffee will perfectly complement this dessert.

Nutritional benefits:
The sweet cheese cake is rich in protein due to the cheese, and the addition of fruits (raisins or cranberries) provides antioxidants and fiber. It is a dessert that, when consumed in moderation, can be part of a balanced diet.

In the end, remember that cooking is an art that should be savored. Every recipe has its story, and this sweet cheese and meringue cake is one of those that brings us together. Enjoy your meal!