Sweet cheese pie

Sweet cheese pie: a classic delight that combines tradition and authentic taste

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 45-50 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 8-10

Who doesn’t love a sweet cheese pie? This sweet cheese pie recipe is simple and quick, yet the final result is a true feast for the taste buds. The creamy cheese, sweetened with sugar and flavored with lemon zest, perfectly combines with the crispy pie sheets, offering a contrasting texture that will have you coming back to this recipe time and again. Let’s discover together how to prepare this delicious dessert!

Ingredients:

- 1 package of pie sheets (approximately 400-500g)
- 500g sweet cheese (ideally well-drained cottage cheese)
- 6 tablespoons sugar (or to taste)
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
- Zest of one lemon (for a fresh taste)
- 250g sour cream (12% fat)
- 4 whole eggs
- 1 yolk
- Egg whites from 2 eggs (to add fluffiness)
- Oil for greasing the sheets
- 3 eggs to pour on top of the pie
- Powdered sugar for decoration (optional, but recommended)

Beginning the culinary adventure:

1. Prepare the ingredients: Make sure the sweet cheese is well-drained. You can use fresh cottage cheese or a mix of cottage cheese with ricotta for a richer taste.

2. Mix the cheese: In a large bowl, add the sweet cheese, sugar, vanilla sugar, lemon zest, and sour cream. Mix well until all ingredients are homogeneous. If you prefer a sweeter taste, feel free to adjust the sugar amount to your liking.

3. Add the eggs: Beat the 4 whole eggs and the yolk separately, then incorporate them into the cheese mixture. This will give the pie a soft and creamy texture.

4. Beat the egg whites: In another bowl, beat the egg whites from the 2 eggs until stiff peaks form. This step is essential for giving the pie a slight fluffiness, making the final dessert lighter.

5. Incorporate the egg whites: With a spatula, gradually add the beaten egg whites to the cheese mixture, gently folding from the bottom up. Make sure not to lose volume to achieve a light texture.

Assembling the pie:

6. Prepare the baking dish: Choose a rectangular baking dish and grease it well with butter to prevent sticking. This detail is essential, as the pie will be easier to remove after baking.

7. Place the pie sheets: Lay 4 sheets of pie on the bottom of the dish, greasing them with oil in between to keep them tender. This layer will provide a crispy and delicious base.

8. Pour the filling: Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the pie sheets.

9. Add another layer of sheets: Continue with another 4 sheets of pie, greased with oil, which you will place on top of the cheese filling.

10. Prepare the eggs for the top: Beat the remaining 3 eggs and pour them evenly over the pie. This step will create a golden and appetizing crust at the end.

Baking:

11. Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C. It is important to have the oven well heated before placing the pie in, to achieve even baking.

12. Bake the pie: Place the dish in the oven and let it bake for 45-50 minutes or until it becomes golden and firm to the touch.

13. Cool and serve: After baking, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool slightly. You can dust it with powdered sugar for an elegant appearance and sweet taste.

Serving suggestions: This pie is delicious both warm and cold. You can serve it plain or alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or with a berry sauce for a contrast of flavors. A cup of tea or coffee pairs perfectly with this dessert.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can I use other types of cheese? Absolutely! You can experiment with goat cheese or a mix of cheeses to achieve a different flavor.

2. How can I make the pie less sweet? Reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe and use less sweet cheese.

3. Can the pie be frozen? Yes, you can freeze the unbaked or baked pie. Make sure it is well covered to prevent ice crystals from forming.

Nutritional benefits: Sweet cheese pie contains protein from the cheese, calcium, and healthy fats from the sour cream, providing an energy source. However, due to the sugar and fat content, it is best consumed in moderation.

Possible variations: You can add raisins or dried cranberries to the cheese mixture for an extra flavor boost. Additionally, a splash of rum or almond extract can completely transform the flavor of the pie.

This sweet cheese pie recipe is more than just a simple dessert; it is an invitation to moments of joy and relaxation with loved ones. Prepare it with love and savor every slice!