Sweet cheese and raisin pasca is a traditional dessert, full of flavor, that brings the nostalgia of holidays and family meals. This dish perfectly combines fluffy dough, similar to brioche, with a creamy filling of sweet cheese and raisins, creating an unforgettable culinary experience. I will present to you an engaging, well-structured recipe that will guide you step by step to achieve a delicious pasca.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 50-60 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Number of servings: 10
Ingredients
*For the dough:*
- 400 g flour
- 100 g sugar
- 50 g butter (about the size of a walnut)
- 200 ml lukewarm milk
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 cube of fresh yeast (or 7 g dry yeast)
- 1 essence of rum
- 1 essence of vanilla
- a pinch of salt
*For the filling:*
- 800 g cottage cheese (preferably well drained)
- 200 g powdered sugar
- 50 g butter (about the size of a walnut)
- 4 eggs
- 2-3 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- 150 g raisins
- 1 tablespoon semolina
- 1 tablespoon flour
- grated zest of one lemon
- a pinch of salt
Step 1: Preparing the dough
Start by activating the yeast. If using fresh yeast, dissolve the cube in 100 ml of lukewarm milk, adding a teaspoon of sugar. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes or until it becomes frothy. If using dry yeast, you can add it directly to the flour.
In a large bowl, sift the flour and add the sugar, salt, rum and vanilla essences. Pour in the activated yeast and the rest of the lukewarm milk. Add the beaten eggs and oil, then start mixing with a spatula or with your hands. Add the soft butter, cut into cubes, and knead the dough for 10-15 minutes, until it becomes elastic and smooth.
Once you have a homogeneous dough, cover it with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in volume.
Step 2: Preparing the filling
Meanwhile, you can prepare the filling. In a bowl, mash the cottage cheese with the soft butter until it becomes a uniform paste. Add the eggs one by one, mixing well after each, then add the powdered sugar, vanilla sugar, semolina, flour, and sour cream. Mix until well combined, then fold in the raisins and grated lemon zest. It is important to use quality, well-drained cheese to avoid excess water in the filling.
Step 3: Forming the pasca
After the dough has risen, divide it into two equal parts and a small portion, which you will use for decoration. From the first half, roll out a round sheet the size of the baking pan, which you can grease with a little butter to prevent sticking.
Carefully place the sheet of dough in the prepared pan. From the other half of the dough, form rolls that you can braid, placing them around the edge of the pan. Press the ends of the rolls to join them. Let everything rise for another 30 minutes.
Step 4: Assembling and baking
When the dough has risen again, pour the cheese filling over the dough base. From the remaining dough, form small rolls and braid them two by two, placing them on top of the filling. Brush the pasca with a beaten egg to give it a golden and shiny crust.
Preheat the oven to 180°C and bake the pasca for 50-60 minutes, or until it becomes golden and firm to the touch. It is recommended to use an oven thermometer to ensure the temperature is correct.
Step 5: Cooling and serving
Once the pasca is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then, carefully turn it onto a plate and let it cool completely. This pasca is delicious both warm and cold, but I recommend serving it with a fruit sauce or a drizzle of honey for added flavor.
Useful tips:
- If you want a less sweet version, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the filling by 50 g and add a splash of lemon juice for a pleasant contrast.
- Use golden raisins for a more vibrant appearance, but also for a sweeter taste.
- You can also add some pieces of dark chocolate or chopped nuts to the filling for a touch of originality.
- Make sure the dough is well kneaded to achieve a fluffy texture.
Nutritional benefits:
Sweet cheese and raisin pasca is not only a tasty dessert but also a source of protein due to the cheese and eggs. Raisins add fiber and antioxidants, while butter contributes to essential fatty acid intake. However, it is best to enjoy this delicacy in moderation, considering its sugar and calorie content.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use other types of cheese?
Yes, you can use ricotta or goat cheese, but the taste will be different.
2. How can I store the pasca?
Keep the pasca in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the fridge for a week.
3. Can the pasca be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze the pasca, but it is advisable to do so without adding the decorations on top.
I wish you a good appetite and hope you enjoy every bite of this sweet cheese and raisin pasca! This is a recipe that will surely become a favorite among family and friends, bringing smiles to the faces of your loved ones.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 50-60 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Number of servings: 10
Ingredients
*For the dough:*
- 400 g flour
- 100 g sugar
- 50 g butter (about the size of a walnut)
- 200 ml lukewarm milk
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 cube of fresh yeast (or 7 g dry yeast)
- 1 essence of rum
- 1 essence of vanilla
- a pinch of salt
*For the filling:*
- 800 g cottage cheese (preferably well drained)
- 200 g powdered sugar
- 50 g butter (about the size of a walnut)
- 4 eggs
- 2-3 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- 150 g raisins
- 1 tablespoon semolina
- 1 tablespoon flour
- grated zest of one lemon
- a pinch of salt
Step 1: Preparing the dough
Start by activating the yeast. If using fresh yeast, dissolve the cube in 100 ml of lukewarm milk, adding a teaspoon of sugar. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes or until it becomes frothy. If using dry yeast, you can add it directly to the flour.
In a large bowl, sift the flour and add the sugar, salt, rum and vanilla essences. Pour in the activated yeast and the rest of the lukewarm milk. Add the beaten eggs and oil, then start mixing with a spatula or with your hands. Add the soft butter, cut into cubes, and knead the dough for 10-15 minutes, until it becomes elastic and smooth.
Once you have a homogeneous dough, cover it with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in volume.
Step 2: Preparing the filling
Meanwhile, you can prepare the filling. In a bowl, mash the cottage cheese with the soft butter until it becomes a uniform paste. Add the eggs one by one, mixing well after each, then add the powdered sugar, vanilla sugar, semolina, flour, and sour cream. Mix until well combined, then fold in the raisins and grated lemon zest. It is important to use quality, well-drained cheese to avoid excess water in the filling.
Step 3: Forming the pasca
After the dough has risen, divide it into two equal parts and a small portion, which you will use for decoration. From the first half, roll out a round sheet the size of the baking pan, which you can grease with a little butter to prevent sticking.
Carefully place the sheet of dough in the prepared pan. From the other half of the dough, form rolls that you can braid, placing them around the edge of the pan. Press the ends of the rolls to join them. Let everything rise for another 30 minutes.
Step 4: Assembling and baking
When the dough has risen again, pour the cheese filling over the dough base. From the remaining dough, form small rolls and braid them two by two, placing them on top of the filling. Brush the pasca with a beaten egg to give it a golden and shiny crust.
Preheat the oven to 180°C and bake the pasca for 50-60 minutes, or until it becomes golden and firm to the touch. It is recommended to use an oven thermometer to ensure the temperature is correct.
Step 5: Cooling and serving
Once the pasca is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then, carefully turn it onto a plate and let it cool completely. This pasca is delicious both warm and cold, but I recommend serving it with a fruit sauce or a drizzle of honey for added flavor.
Useful tips:
- If you want a less sweet version, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the filling by 50 g and add a splash of lemon juice for a pleasant contrast.
- Use golden raisins for a more vibrant appearance, but also for a sweeter taste.
- You can also add some pieces of dark chocolate or chopped nuts to the filling for a touch of originality.
- Make sure the dough is well kneaded to achieve a fluffy texture.
Nutritional benefits:
Sweet cheese and raisin pasca is not only a tasty dessert but also a source of protein due to the cheese and eggs. Raisins add fiber and antioxidants, while butter contributes to essential fatty acid intake. However, it is best to enjoy this delicacy in moderation, considering its sugar and calorie content.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use other types of cheese?
Yes, you can use ricotta or goat cheese, but the taste will be different.
2. How can I store the pasca?
Keep the pasca in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the fridge for a week.
3. Can the pasca be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze the pasca, but it is advisable to do so without adding the decorations on top.
I wish you a good appetite and hope you enjoy every bite of this sweet cheese and raisin pasca! This is a recipe that will surely become a favorite among family and friends, bringing smiles to the faces of your loved ones.