Rudy Cake

Cheese and cocoa cake – a delicious and easy-to-make recipe

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 60 minutes
Number of servings: 12

Who doesn’t love a dessert that harmoniously combines the rich taste of chocolate with the delicacy of cheese? The cheese and cocoa cake is a classic recipe, loved by the whole family and will surely become a favorite in your home too. The origins of this cake are shrouded in mystery, but it is known to be a special choice for holidays or family gatherings. Here’s how to prepare it, step by step!

Ingredients:

For the crust:
- 250 g butter (ideally at room temperature for easier softening)
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons cocoa (choose a quality cocoa for an intense flavor)
- 150 g sugar
- 2 packets of vanilla sugar
- 400 g flour
- 1 packet of baking powder
- a pinch of salt (to balance the flavors)

For the filling:
- 300 g salty cheese (preferably telemea)
- 400 g sweet cheese (optional, you can use ricotta for a finer texture)
- 2 eggs + 2 egg whites
- 200 g sugar
- 2 packets of vanilla sugar
- vanilla essence (a few drops)

Instructions:

1. Preparing the crust:
In a bowl, sift the flour, cocoa, and baking powder. This step is important to avoid lumps and ensure a fine texture for the crust.
In another bowl, add the softened butter, egg yolks, salt, sugar, and vanilla sugar. Using a mixer, beat the ingredients on medium speed until you get a fluffy and homogeneous mixture. This step is crucial for incorporating air into the mixture, which will make the cake fluffy.

2. Combining the ingredients:
Start adding the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing with a spatula or by hand until all ingredients are well incorporated. When the dough becomes homogeneous, divide it into two equal parts, form balls and wrap them in plastic wrap. Place the dough in the freezer for about 10 minutes. This step will facilitate the later grating of the dough.

3. Preparing the filling:
In another bowl, grate the salty cheese or crumble it with a fork. Add the sweet cheese, sugar, vanilla sugar, vanilla essence, and eggs. Mix everything well until you get a homogeneous mixture. If you use a juicier sweet cheese, remember to add 2-3 tablespoons of semolina to thicken the filling. This trick will prevent the filling from leaking during baking.

4. Assembling the cake:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Line a 26 x 36 cm baking tray with parchment paper. Remove the first part of the dough from the freezer and grate it directly into the tray, thus forming a base layer. Try to cover the entire surface evenly.
After preparing the dough layer, pour the cheese filling and level it with a spatula. Remove the other part of the dough from the freezer and grate it over the filling. Leveling can be done with the blade of a knife to achieve a smooth surface.

5. Baking:
Place the tray in the oven and bake the cake for 40 minutes or until it turns golden on top. It is essential not to open the oven door in the first 30 minutes of baking, to allow the cake to rise properly.

6. Cooling and slicing:
After the cake is baked, let it cool in the tray, then you can slice it into squares. It is delicious both warm and cold, and its aroma will fill the entire house.

Practical tips:

- Ingredients at room temperature: Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature to facilitate mixing and achieve a fine texture.
- Grating the dough: When grating the dough over the filling, you can use a large grater to obtain larger crumbs, or a small grater for finer crumbs, depending on your preferences.
- Pairing with other desserts: This cake pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or warm chocolate sauce. You can also serve it alongside a cup of coffee or tea.

Nutritional benefits:

- Cheese: An excellent source of protein, calcium, and vitamins. Salty cheese provides an intense flavor, while sweet cheese adds creaminess.
- Cocoa: Contains antioxidants and can contribute to improving mood, due to its effect of stimulating endorphin production in the body.

Frequently asked questions:

- How can I store the cake? Keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. You can also freeze it for long-term storage.
- What can I use if I don’t have telemea cheese? You can replace salty cheese with feta cheese or goat cheese, both offering a distinct flavor.
- Can I add fruits? Yes, you can add pieces of caramelized apples or pears to add a touch of freshness and sweetness.

Possible variations:

- Gluten-free version: You can replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour, such as almond flour or rice flour.
- Flavoring: You can add lemon or orange zest to the cheese filling for an extra flavor.

Surely, this cheese and cocoa cake will bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones. So don’t hesitate to get started and enjoy a delicious dessert!

 Ingredients: For the dough: 250 g butter, 2 egg yolks, 2 tablespoons cocoa, 150 g sugar, 2 packets vanilla sugar, 400 g flour, salt, 1 packet baking powder. For the filling: 300 g salty cheese, 400 g sweet cheese, 2 eggs + 2 egg whites, 200 g sugar, 2 packets vanilla sugar, vanilla essence.

 Tags:  rudy cake