Sweet Cheese Pastry
Who hasn't been swept away by sweet and nostalgic memories upon hearing about sweet cheese pastry? This traditional delicacy, which combines unique flavors and textures, is more than just a simple cake; it’s a story of spring, celebrations, and moments spent with loved ones. Today, I invite you to discover together the recipe for sweet cheese pastry, a dessert that will turn any meal into an unforgettable feast.
Total preparation time: 2 hours
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Number of servings: 12
Necessary ingredients:
Dough (sweet bread dough):
- 500 g flour
- 200 ml warm milk
- 50 g sugar
- 50 g melted butter
- 25 g fresh yeast
- 2 eggs
- A pinch of salt
Filling (for two round pans with a diameter of 28 cm):
- 1 kg fresh cow cheese (ideally, use high-quality cheese for better flavor)
- 8 eggs (separate the whites from the yolks)
- 1-1 ½ cups of sugar (depending on preferences and how sour the cheese is)
- Zest from 1 lemon and 1 orange
- 1 cup raisins (soaked in a little milk and rum)
- 3 tablespoons semolina
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 egg + 1 tablespoon milk (for glazing)
- 1-2 teaspoons poppy seeds (for decoration)
Preparation:
1. Preparing the dough:
In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk along with a tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This will ensure perfect rising of the dough.
2. Mixing the ingredients:
In a large bowl, combine the flour with the remaining sugar and salt. Add the beaten eggs and melted butter. Pour in the yeast mixture and knead until you obtain an elastic dough. Cover with a towel and let it rise in a warm place for 30-40 minutes, until it doubles in volume.
3. Preparing the filling:
In another bowl, place the fresh cheese and, if necessary, crumble it with a fork or blender. Add the egg yolks, sugar, lemon and orange zest, drained raisins, semolina, and sour cream. Mix well, ensuring all ingredients are incorporated.
4. Beating the egg whites:
In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks (like for meringue). Carefully fold them into the cheese mixture using a spatula to preserve the air in the egg whites, which will give the filling a fluffy texture.
5. Preparing the pans:
Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Grease two round pans with a little oil and dust them with semolina to prevent sticking.
6. Assembling the pastry:
Divide the dough into two equal parts. Roll out each piece on a floured surface and place each sheet in the prepared pans. Make sure the dough goes up the sides of the pan. Add the cheese filling, leveling it evenly.
7. Decorating:
With the remaining dough, you can create decorations on top. A simple idea is to form an "X" from thin strips of dough, but feel free to get creative! Don’t forget to brush the top with the egg and milk glaze and sprinkle with granulated sugar and poppy seeds for an appetizing look.
8. Baking:
Bake the pastry for 15 minutes at 200 °C, then reduce the temperature to 160 °C and continue baking for another 40-45 minutes. Use the toothpick test to check if it’s done: the toothpick should come out clean.
9. Cooling:
Once baked, let the pastry cool in the pans, covered with towels. This step will help retain moisture and prevent cracking.
10. Serving:
The sweet cheese pastry can be served warm or cold, alongside a glass of sweet wine or fragrant tea. A slice of pastry is perfect for enjoying in the company of a close family or dear friends.
Practical tips:
- If using store-bought cow cheese, make sure it is well-drained to avoid a too-wet filling.
- Raisins can be replaced with other dried fruits, such as apricots or cranberries, for a more exotic touch.
- If you prefer a less sweet version, reduce the amount of sugar in the filling and opt for lower-fat cheese.
Nutritional benefits:
Sweet cheese pastry is a good source of protein thanks to the cheese and eggs. It also contains carbohydrates from the flour, providing energy, while the lemon and orange zest adds essential antioxidants.
Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use soy cheese? Yes, but the texture and taste will change.
- Can I freeze the pastry? Yes, it’s a good idea to portion it before freezing so you can enjoy it later.
- Is this recipe vegan? No, but you can experiment with vegan substitutes for eggs and cheese.
This sweet cheese pastry is not just a dessert, but a culinary experience that speaks of tradition and family. I encourage you to make it, share it, and create new happy memories around the table. Happy cooking!
Who hasn't been swept away by sweet and nostalgic memories upon hearing about sweet cheese pastry? This traditional delicacy, which combines unique flavors and textures, is more than just a simple cake; it’s a story of spring, celebrations, and moments spent with loved ones. Today, I invite you to discover together the recipe for sweet cheese pastry, a dessert that will turn any meal into an unforgettable feast.
Total preparation time: 2 hours
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Number of servings: 12
Necessary ingredients:
Dough (sweet bread dough):
- 500 g flour
- 200 ml warm milk
- 50 g sugar
- 50 g melted butter
- 25 g fresh yeast
- 2 eggs
- A pinch of salt
Filling (for two round pans with a diameter of 28 cm):
- 1 kg fresh cow cheese (ideally, use high-quality cheese for better flavor)
- 8 eggs (separate the whites from the yolks)
- 1-1 ½ cups of sugar (depending on preferences and how sour the cheese is)
- Zest from 1 lemon and 1 orange
- 1 cup raisins (soaked in a little milk and rum)
- 3 tablespoons semolina
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 egg + 1 tablespoon milk (for glazing)
- 1-2 teaspoons poppy seeds (for decoration)
Preparation:
1. Preparing the dough:
In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk along with a tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This will ensure perfect rising of the dough.
2. Mixing the ingredients:
In a large bowl, combine the flour with the remaining sugar and salt. Add the beaten eggs and melted butter. Pour in the yeast mixture and knead until you obtain an elastic dough. Cover with a towel and let it rise in a warm place for 30-40 minutes, until it doubles in volume.
3. Preparing the filling:
In another bowl, place the fresh cheese and, if necessary, crumble it with a fork or blender. Add the egg yolks, sugar, lemon and orange zest, drained raisins, semolina, and sour cream. Mix well, ensuring all ingredients are incorporated.
4. Beating the egg whites:
In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks (like for meringue). Carefully fold them into the cheese mixture using a spatula to preserve the air in the egg whites, which will give the filling a fluffy texture.
5. Preparing the pans:
Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Grease two round pans with a little oil and dust them with semolina to prevent sticking.
6. Assembling the pastry:
Divide the dough into two equal parts. Roll out each piece on a floured surface and place each sheet in the prepared pans. Make sure the dough goes up the sides of the pan. Add the cheese filling, leveling it evenly.
7. Decorating:
With the remaining dough, you can create decorations on top. A simple idea is to form an "X" from thin strips of dough, but feel free to get creative! Don’t forget to brush the top with the egg and milk glaze and sprinkle with granulated sugar and poppy seeds for an appetizing look.
8. Baking:
Bake the pastry for 15 minutes at 200 °C, then reduce the temperature to 160 °C and continue baking for another 40-45 minutes. Use the toothpick test to check if it’s done: the toothpick should come out clean.
9. Cooling:
Once baked, let the pastry cool in the pans, covered with towels. This step will help retain moisture and prevent cracking.
10. Serving:
The sweet cheese pastry can be served warm or cold, alongside a glass of sweet wine or fragrant tea. A slice of pastry is perfect for enjoying in the company of a close family or dear friends.
Practical tips:
- If using store-bought cow cheese, make sure it is well-drained to avoid a too-wet filling.
- Raisins can be replaced with other dried fruits, such as apricots or cranberries, for a more exotic touch.
- If you prefer a less sweet version, reduce the amount of sugar in the filling and opt for lower-fat cheese.
Nutritional benefits:
Sweet cheese pastry is a good source of protein thanks to the cheese and eggs. It also contains carbohydrates from the flour, providing energy, while the lemon and orange zest adds essential antioxidants.
Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use soy cheese? Yes, but the texture and taste will change.
- Can I freeze the pastry? Yes, it’s a good idea to portion it before freezing so you can enjoy it later.
- Is this recipe vegan? No, but you can experiment with vegan substitutes for eggs and cheese.
This sweet cheese pastry is not just a dessert, but a culinary experience that speaks of tradition and family. I encourage you to make it, share it, and create new happy memories around the table. Happy cooking!
Ingredients
Dough: recipe for cozonac (based on my walnut cozonac recipe or from the address (dough from 500g flour) Filling for two round pans of 28cm diameter - 1kg fresh cow cheese - 8 eggs - 1 to 1.5 cups of sugar (depending on your taste and how sour the cheese is) - zest from 1 lemon and 1 orange - 1 cup of raisins soaked in a little milk and rum - 3 tablespoons of semolina - 3 tablespoons of sour cream - 1 egg + 1 tablespoon of milk for glazing - 1-2 teaspoons of poppy seeds.