Layered Easter Bread

Layered Pasca - A traditional delicacy with a modern twist

Total time: 2 hours
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Servings: 12

Layered pasca is a dessert that brings a touch of tradition to every table, being perfect for both holidays and less formal occasions. This recipe combines cottage cheese with various flavors and textures, resulting in a delicious and impressive dessert. Here we provide a step-by-step approach to guide you in achieving a perfect, flavorful, and visually appealing pastry.

Ingredients needed

*For the dough:*
- 1 egg
- 50 g margarine (or butter for a richer taste)
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- Flour as needed (approximately 200 g, but remember, the dough should be very soft)

*For the cheese cream:*
- 1 kg cottage cheese, well drained (ideally use fresh cheese, without water)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 300 g sugar
- ½ pack (approximately 100 g) butter, at room temperature
- 8 eggs (separate the yolks from the whites)
- 200 g sour cream (drained in cheesecloth over cornmeal to remove excess water)
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 2 tablespoons semolina
- 4 packets vanilla sugar
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
- 50 g poppy seeds
- 50 g coconut
- 50 g roasted walnuts, ground
- 4 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons cocoa
- Raisins (to taste)
- Rum essence (approximately 1 teaspoon)
- Vanilla essence (approximately 1 teaspoon)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Step by step in preparing pasca:

1. Preparing the dough:
In a bowl, beat the egg with the margarine and sour cream until you obtain a homogeneous mixture. Gradually add flour, mixing continuously until the dough becomes very soft and slightly sticky. It is important not to use too much flour, otherwise the final texture will be affected.

2. Lining the pan:
Choose a medium-sized detachable pan (approximately 26 cm in diameter). Line the bottom and sides with a thin layer of the prepared dough. Make sure the dough is evenly distributed.

3. Preparing the cheese cream:
In another bowl, mix the yolks with a pinch of salt and let them sit for 30 minutes. After this time, mix them with sugar until you get a creamy mixture.
In a food processor, add the cottage cheese, butter, yolks mixed with sugar, flour, semolina, baking powder, vanilla sugar, and sour cream. Process until you obtain a fine cream.

4. Incorporating the egg whites:
Beat the egg whites until foamy with a teaspoon of lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the cheese cream, being careful not to lose the air accumulated.

5. Dividing the mixture:
Divide the cheese mixture into three bowls as follows:
- In the first bowl, add cocoa and rum essence. This will be the chocolate base.
- In the second bowl, add the poppy seeds, which bring a rustic note and delicate taste.
- In the third bowl, add the coconut, raisins, lemon zest, and vanilla essence.

6. Assembling the pasca:
In the pan, pour the cocoa layer, then sprinkle a layer of raisins. Continue with the poppy seed layer, followed by the coconut layer. You can also decorate with a cross made of raisins or pieces of candied apricots for a festive look.

7. Baking:
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Bake the pasca for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The baking time may vary depending on the oven, so it is good to check with a tester (a toothpick) to ensure it is well baked.

8. Finishing:
With 15 minutes before taking the pasca out of the oven, beat the remaining two egg whites with powdered sugar, lemon juice, and ground walnuts. Spread this mixture over the pasca and let it bake for a few minutes. Once ready, let the pasca cool in the pan before transferring it to a round plate. Cut only after the pasca is completely cool to obtain beautiful portions.

Serving and pairing suggestions:
Layered pasca is best served cold, alongside a berry sauce or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It can be accompanied by herbal tea or a sweet wine, which will highlight its rich flavors.

Tips and variations:
For a gluten-free version, you can replace the flour with a gluten-free alternative. You can also experiment with various types of nuts or dried fruits according to your preferences.

Frequently asked questions:
- How can I store pasca for longer? You can keep it in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
- Can pasca be frozen? Yes, pasca can be frozen, but it is recommended to slice it before freezing to facilitate defrosting.
- Can I use store-bought cottage cheese? Yes, but make sure it is well drained to avoid a too wet mixture.

Nutritional benefits:
Cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein and calcium, and the addition of nuts and seeds such as poppy seeds and coconut brings healthy fatty acids and fiber. It is a dessert that, when consumed in moderation, can be part of a balanced diet.

In conclusion, layered pasca is a dessert that combines tradition with innovation, offering an explosion of flavors and textures in every slice. Don't forget to leave your personal mark through variations and presentation, and every occasion will become special!

 Ingredients: Dough: 1 egg, 50 g margarine, 2 tablespoons sour cream, flour as needed, the dough should be very, very soft. Cream: 1 kg well-drained cottage cheese, 1 packet baking powder, 300 g sugar, 1/2 pack butter, 8 eggs, 200 g sour cream (strained through cheesecloth over corn flour), 1 tablespoon flour, 2 tablespoons semolina, 4 packets vanilla sugar, lemon zest, 50 g poppy seeds, 50 g coconut, 50 g roasted walnuts, 4 tablespoons powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons cocoa, raisins, rum essence, vanilla essence, 1 tablespoon lemon juice.