Cheese cake

Cheese Cake – a quick and delicious dessert

If you are looking for a simple and tasty recipe for a dessert that will delight everyone, cheese cake is the perfect choice. This cake has a creamy texture, with a tender crust and a delicious filling of cottage cheese, enriched with lemon and vanilla flavors. I invite you to discover the steps to achieve a perfect result.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients for the crust:
- 24 tablespoons of flour
- 10 tablespoons of sugar
- 250 g margarine (or butter for a more authentic taste)
- 150 g sour cream
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 packet of baking powder
- A pinch of salt

Ingredients for the filling:
- 500 g cottage cheese
- 4 eggs
- 4 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- Grated zest of 1 lemon

Steps for preparation:

1. Preparing the crust: In a large bowl, add the flour and cubed margarine. Use your fingers to mix them together until you achieve a texture similar to wet sand. This technique will ensure a tender crust.

2. Adding wet ingredients: Next, add the egg yolks, sour cream, baking powder mixed with a little lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Mix the ingredients with a spatula or your hands until the dough becomes homogeneous. Do not knead too much to avoid making it elastic. If you feel the dough is too dry, you can add a tablespoon of cold water.

3. Chilling the dough: Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and let it cool in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This step is essential to achieve a tender texture after baking.

4. Preparing the filling: In a separate bowl, mash the cottage cheese with a fork to make it as fine as possible. Add the eggs, sugar, vanilla sugar, and grated lemon zest. Mix well until you obtain a creamy and homogeneous composition. Taste the filling and adjust the sugar if you prefer a sweeter dessert.

5. Assembling the cake: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Take the dough out of the refrigerator and roll it out to about 1 cm thick. Place it in a baking dish lined with parchment paper, making sure to form a border of a few centimeters on the edges. Pour the cheese filling over the crust and level it with a spatula.

6. Baking: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake the cake for 40-45 minutes or until the filling is firm and the top of the cake turns golden. Check with a toothpick; if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.

7. Cooling and serving: Let the cake cool in the dish, then transfer it to a rack to cool completely. You can sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top for an elegant look. Serve the cake with a fruit sauce or a scoop of ice cream for a contrast of temperatures and textures.

Useful tips:
- If you want a cake with a more intense flavor, you can add a few drops of vanilla essence to the filling.
- Instead of cottage cheese, you can use ricotta or mascarpone for a different texture.
- Add some pieces of candied or fresh fruit to the filling for an extra burst of flavor.

This cheese cake is not only simple and quick but also extremely versatile. By experimenting with the ingredients, you can create a unique delicacy that will delight any dessert lover!

 Ingredients: For the dough: flour - 24 tablespoons, sugar - 10 tablespoons, margarine - 250 g, sour cream - 150 g, egg yolks - 3 pcs, baking powder - 1 packet, salt - a pinch. For the filling: cottage cheese - 500 g, eggs - 4 pcs, sugar - 4 tablespoons, vanilla sugar - 1 packet, grated zest of 1 lemon.