Cocoa dough cake with sweet cheese

Cocoa Dough and Sweet Cheese Pasca: A Holiday Delight

Pasca is a traditional dessert, full of symbolism and flavor, usually prepared during holiday seasons. With a fine dough, flavored with cocoa and a delicious sweet cheese filling, this pasca recipe promises to bring the whole family to the table. Whether you enjoy it with loved ones or give it as a gift, this dessert will surely evoke admiration from everyone. Let's discover together how to prepare this delicacy step by step!

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Baking Time: 50-60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of Servings: 3 pasca

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 1 kg wheat flour
- 3 tablespoons cocoa
- 2 packs of butter (approximately 400 g)
- 1 egg
- 1 pinch of salt
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- Zest of one orange
- 1 essence of rum
- 150 ml sweet milk (warm)
- 1 cube of yeast (approximately 42 g)

For the cheese filling:
- 3 kg sweet cottage cheese
- 500 g heavy cream
- 8 tablespoons sugar
- Zest of one orange
- 1 essence of rum
- 3 tablespoons semolina
- 250 g brown raisins

For brushing the pasca:
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons honey

Preparation Steps

Step 1: Preparing the Dough
1. Start by sifting the wheat flour into a large bowl. This will help aerate the flour and make the dough fluffier.
2. In a separate container, dissolve the yeast cube in warm milk. Add the sugar and mix well. Let it rise for 5-10 minutes until a foam appears on top.
3. In the bowl with flour, add the risen yeast, cocoa, a pinch of salt, orange zest, rum essence, the egg, and room temperature butter.
4. Knead the dough until it becomes elastic and firm enough. If it is too sticky, you can add a little more flour.
5. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes while you prepare the filling.

Step 2: Preparing the Cheese Filling
1. In a large bowl, add the sweet cottage cheese, heavy cream, sugar, orange zest, rum essence, semolina, and raisins. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous composition.
2. Taste the filling to ensure it has enough sweetness and flavor. You can adjust the sugar or essence according to your preferences.

Step 3: Assembling the Pasca
1. After the dough has rested in the fridge, divide it into three equal pieces.
2. Take the first piece of dough and roll it out on a floured surface until you get a round sheet, much larger than the diameter of the baking tray (preferably with a diameter of 26-28 cm).
3. Roll the sheet onto a rolling pin and place it in the prepared baking tray lined with parchment paper. Make sure the edges of the dough rise along the sides of the tray.
4. Cut off the excess dough from the edges and fill the base with 1/3 of the cheese mixture.
5. From the remaining dough, form a string and braid it in two, then shape it into a cross on top of the filling.

Step 4: Baking the Pasca
1. Beat the two eggs and brush the pasca with the mixture obtained for a beautiful golden color at the end.
2. Sprinkle the remaining raisins on top for an extra burst of flavor.
3. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (moderate heat) and bake the pasca for 50-60 minutes, or until it becomes golden and firm to the touch.
4. Once baked, brush the pasca with honey for a glossy appearance and a sweet taste.

Practical Tips
- Kneading the Dough: Make sure to knead the dough well until it becomes elastic. If it is too soft, add a little flour, but avoid making it too hard.
- Temperature of Ingredients: The flour, butter, and egg should be at room temperature to facilitate even mixing.
- Cooling the Pasca: It is recommended to let the pasca cool in the tray to prevent cracking or damaging its shape.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use cheese of another type? Yes, you can experiment with cottage cheese or ricotta, but make sure you have a similar consistency.
2. How can I preserve the pasca? Keep the pasca in an airtight container in the fridge to maintain its freshness. It can be consumed for 5-7 days.
3. Can I add other ingredients? Of course! You can add chocolate, nuts, or even candied fruits to the filling for a personalized touch.

Serving Suggestions
Cocoa dough and sweet cheese pasca pairs perfectly with a cup of strong coffee or a fragrant tea. You can accompany this dessert with vanilla ice cream or a caramel sauce for an extra touch of refinement.

Possible Variations
- Chocolate Pasca: Instead of cocoa, you can add melted dark chocolate to the dough.
- Fruit Pasca: In the filling, add pieces of peaches or apricots for a fresh taste.

Nutritional Benefits
This pasca is a good source of protein due to the cheese and eggs. The whole flour used in the dough provides fiber, and cocoa contains antioxidants that can benefit cardiovascular health.

By experimenting with this recipe, you will not only prepare a delicious dessert but also bring a piece of tradition into your home. So gather your ingredients and let’s enjoy the magic of cooking! Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: To prepare three Easter cakes: Ingredients for the dough: -1 kg of wheat flour, -3 tablespoons of cocoa, -2 packages of butter, -1 egg, -1 pinch of salt, -4 tablespoons of sugar, -the zest of one orange, -1 essence of rum, -150 ml of sweet milk, -1 cube of yeast. Ingredients for the cheese filling: -3 kg of sweet cow cheese, -500 gr of sour cream, -8 tablespoons of sugar, -the zest of one orange, -1 essence of rum, -3 tablespoons of semolina, -250 gr of brown raisins. Ingredients for brushing the Easter cake: -2 eggs, -2 tablespoons of bee honey.