Cheese cream tart with flaky pastry

Cheesecake Tart with Shortcrust Pastry

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 50 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Number of servings: 8-10

The history of cheesecake tart is one filled with flavor and tradition. This delicacy was created to bring a touch of joy to festive days and is today a beloved dessert. The rich flavors of the cheese perfectly blend with the sweetness of sugar and vanilla, while the shortcrust pastry complements this ensemble perfectly. Moreover, it is a versatile dessert that you can adapt to your preferences by adding seasonal fruits or even chocolate.

Ingredients

For the pastry:
- 125g cold butter, diced (use quality butter with a high-fat content for a tastier pastry)
- 250g flour (type 00 flour is ideal for a fine pastry)
- 40g sugar (you can opt for brown sugar for a deeper flavor)
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar (or you can use natural vanilla extract)
- 5-6 tablespoons of cold milk (milk helps achieve an ideal texture)
- A pinch of salt (salt enhances sweetness)

For the filling:
- 500g cream cheese (fromage blanc or a similar cheese)
- 250g sour cream with 30% fat (creme fraiche is an excellent choice)
- 4 eggs (make sure they are fresh)
- A little salt (to balance the flavors)
- 250g sugar (you can adjust the amount to your liking)
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- Vanilla essence (for an extra flavor)
- 150g flour (to bind the cream)

Preparation

1. Preparing the pastry
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, vanilla sugar, and a pinch of salt. These dry ingredients form the base of your pastry. Add the cold diced butter over the flour mixture. Use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour until you achieve a sandy texture, similar to breadcrumbs. This step is essential for obtaining a crumbly pastry.

2. Adding the milk
Gradually add the cold milk and continue to mix until you obtain a homogeneous dough. Avoid overworking it, as this can make the pastry tougher. Once you achieve the desired consistency, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. This step helps firm up the butter and achieve a perfect texture.

3. Preparing the filling
In another bowl, mix the cream cheese with the sour cream. Add the sugar, vanilla sugar, and vanilla essence, mixing well until smooth. Then, incorporate the egg yolks, followed by the flour. This mixture will form the delicious filling of the tart.

4. Beating the egg whites
In another bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until foamy. This will add an airy texture to the filling. Use a spatula to gently fold the egg whites into the cheese mixture. This step is crucial for achieving a light and fluffy filling.

5. Assembling the tart
After the dough has chilled, remove it and roll it out on a lightly floured surface. Line a 24 cm round baking pan (lined with parchment paper on the bottom and greased with a little oil on the sides) with the prepared dough. Ensure that the dough rises up the sides of the pan. Pour the cheese filling into the center and smooth it out gently.

6. Baking
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 30 minutes at high heat, then reduce the temperature to 160°C and continue baking for another 20 minutes or until the tart is golden and firm in the center. It is important to let the tart cool slowly, so keep the oven slightly ajar for 10-15 minutes after turning off the heat. This will prevent cracking.

7. Serving
Once cooled, dust the tart with powdered sugar and serve with love. You can add fresh fruits like strawberries or raspberries for a delicious contrast of flavors. The tart pairs excellently with a glass of white wine or fruit tea.

Helpful tips

- Variations: You can add additional flavors like lemon or orange zest to give a fresh taste to the filling.
- Fruits: Replace part of the cream cheese with fruit puree to add a fruity and fresh note.
- Cooling time: Allow the tart to cool completely in the refrigerator before slicing. This will help stabilize the filling.

Nutritional benefits

This tart is a source of protein due to the cheese and eggs, but it is also rich in healthy fats from the butter and sour cream. Despite its caloric content, you can enjoy a slice from time to time as part of a balanced diet.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, you can substitute cream cheese with ricotta or mascarpone, but the texture and flavor will be different.

2. What can I do with leftover pastry?
You can use leftover pastry to make cookies or mini tarts with fruit filling.

3. How can I prevent the tart from cracking?
Let the tart cool slowly and do not remove it from the pan too early.

This recipe is perfect for a special occasion but also for treating yourself on an ordinary day. Whether you serve it at a party or enjoy it with loved ones, the cheesecake tart will bring smiles to everyone's faces! Enjoy!

 Ingredients: For the dough: 125g butter, 250g flour, 40g sugar, 1 packet of vanilla sugar, 5-6 tablespoons of cold milk, a pinch of salt. For the filling: 500g cream cheese (fromage blanc), 250g sour cream 30% fat (crème fraîche), 4 eggs, a little salt, 250g sugar, 1 packet of vanilla sugar, vanilla essence, 150g flour.