Chocolate Easter Cake

Chocolate Pasca

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Rising time: 1 hour
Baking time: 40-45 minutes
Total: 2 hours 15 minutes
Number of servings: 10-12

I invite you to discover the delicious recipe for chocolate pasca, a modern twist on the traditional dessert, perfect for holidays or any special occasion. This recipe is simple, but the result will surely impress everyone. The pasca is soft, fluffy, and filled with a decadent chocolate mixture.

Ingredients:

For the dough:
- 500 g all-purpose flour
- 250 ml lukewarm milk
- 100 g sugar
- 2 eggs
- 100 g melted butter
- 25 g fresh yeast or 7 g dry yeast
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 vanilla essence

For the filling:
- 200 g dark chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa)
- 150 g cottage cheese
- 1 egg
- 50 g powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon rum essence (optional)
- Zest of 1 lemon (for extra flavor)

Preparation:

1. Start by activating the yeast. In a small bowl, combine the yeast with 50 ml of the lukewarm milk and a tablespoon of sugar. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This is an important step to ensure proper rising.

2. In a large bowl, sift the flour and add the salt. Make a well in the center of the flour and add the activated yeast, the rest of the lukewarm milk, beaten eggs, melted butter, and vanilla essence. Mix the ingredients with a spatula until you get a homogeneous mixture.

3. Knead the dough on a floured work surface for about 10 minutes until it becomes elastic and non-sticky. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour, but be careful not to overdo it.

4. Once you have a smooth dough, grease it with a tablespoon of oil and cover it with a clean towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in volume.

5. Meanwhile, prepare the filling. In a bowl, melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Once melted, let the chocolate cool slightly.

6. In another bowl, combine the cottage cheese, egg, powdered sugar, and rum essence. Mix well, then add the melted chocolate and lemon zest. Stir everything until you get a homogeneous mixture.

7. After the dough has risen, turn it out onto a work surface and divide it into two parts: one larger for the bottom of the pasca and one smaller for the top. Roll out the larger dough into a sheet about 1 cm thick and place it in a greased baking pan.

8. Pour the chocolate filling over the dough in the pan, then roll out the smaller dough on top, covering the filling. You can create a decorative pattern by cutting slits in the top dough.

9. Let the pasca rise for another 30 minutes, then preheat the oven to 180°C. Bake the pasca for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown, and when testing with a toothpick, it comes out clean.

10. Once baked, let the pasca cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a platter and let it cool completely.

Serving suggestion: Serve the chocolate pasca with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a berry sauce for a delicious contrast. You can dust it with powdered sugar for an elegant look.

Possible variations: You can experiment with different fillings, such as ground nuts or candied fruits, adding them to the cheese mixture to bring a variety of flavors.

This chocolate pasca will surely become a favorite recipe in your family, being not only a quick dessert but also a true delight for the taste buds. Cook with love and enjoy every moment spent in the kitchen!

 Ingredients: DOUGH: 400 g flour, 3 tablespoons yogurt, 1 packet of yeast (21 g) + 2 teaspoons sugar, 3 tablespoons vanilla essence, grated lemon peel, 2 tablespoons oil at the end. FILLING: 3 eggs, 400 ml sour cream (thick), 3 tablespoons cocoa, 3 tablespoons sugar, raisins, rum essence.