Sweet cheese and raisin Easter bread

Sweet cheese and raisin Easter cake – a delicious recipe for the Easter holidays

When it comes to Easter celebrations, sweet cheese and raisin cake is a must-have on our tables. This dessert is not just a delicacy, but also a symbol of our culinary traditions, bringing together fine flavors and cherished memories. Each bite of this cake transports you to a world of aromas, where sweet cheese intertwines with juicy raisins, and the fluffy dough perfectly complements this gastronomic picture.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 50-60 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 12

Necessary ingredients:

For the dough:
- 400 g flour
- 100 g sugar
- A knob of butter (approximately 50 g)
- 200 ml lukewarm milk
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 eggs
- Essence of rum and vanilla (a few drops)
- A cube of fresh yeast (25 g)
- A pinch of salt

For the filling:
- 800 g cottage cheese (ideally well-drained)
- 200 g powdered sugar
- A knob of butter (approximately 50 g)
- 4 eggs
- 2-3 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- 150 g raisins (preferably soaked in warm water or rum)
- 1 tablespoon semolina
- 1 tablespoon flour
- Grated zest of one lemon (for extra flavor)
- A pinch of salt

Step-by-step preparation:

1. Preparing the dough: Start by activating the yeast. In a small bowl, add the cube of yeast along with a tablespoon of sugar and 100 ml of lukewarm milk. Mix gently and let it sit for 10 minutes until the yeast starts to foam. This step is essential to ensure that the dough will rise nicely.

2. Mixing the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, remaining sugar, salt, and essences. Make a well in the middle and add the eggs, oil, melted (but cooled) butter, and activated yeast. Pour in the remaining lukewarm milk and start mixing with a wooden spoon or your hands until you obtain a homogeneous dough.

3. Kneading the dough: On a floured work surface, knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth. This step is important for developing the gluten, which will make the dough fluffy.

4. Letting it rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a bowl greased with a little oil. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in volume.

5. Preparing the filling: In the meantime, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, beat the cottage cheese with the soft butter until it becomes a fine paste. Add the eggs, powdered sugar, sour cream, vanilla sugar, lemon zest, semolina, flour, and salt. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous composition. Add the raisins and mix gently to distribute them evenly.

6. Shaping the cake: When the dough has risen, divide it into two equal parts. From one half, roll out a round sheet slightly larger than the chosen baking pan (preferably with a diameter of 26-28 cm). Grease the pan with butter and place the sheet of dough inside, pressing lightly on the bottom and sides.

7. Creating the border: From the other half of the dough, form thin rolls and braid them to create a border that surrounds the cake. Make sure the rolls are well attached to the edge of the pan and that they connect with each other.

8. Adding the filling: Pour the cheese filling into the center of the cake and level it evenly. From the remaining dough, form small rolls, which you can braid two by two and place them on top of the filling.

9. Second rising: Cover the cake with a towel and let it rise again for 30 minutes to give it a fluffy texture.

10. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C. When the cake has risen, brush the surface with a beaten egg to achieve a golden crust. Bake the cake for 50-60 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.

11. Cooling and serving: Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

My tip: The cake is delicious both warm and cold, and serving it with a sour cream sauce or a little honey can add extra flavor. You can also experiment with additions like ground nuts or white chocolate to give it a personal touch.

Calories and nutritional benefits: A serving of sweet cheese cake has approximately 300-350 calories. Cottage cheese is a good source of protein and calcium, while raisins provide fiber and antioxidants. This recipe is an excellent choice to celebrate Easter in a tasty and healthy way.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can I use low-fat cottage cheese?
Yes, but keep in mind that the texture and taste will be slightly different. Whole cheese offers more creaminess.

2. How can I make the cake less sweet?
You can reduce the amount of sugar in the filling, adjusting the proportions of the other ingredients to maintain consistency.

3. Is it possible to make the cake without raisins?
Sure! You can replace the raisins with dried fruits or omit this ingredient altogether, depending on your preferences.

This sweet cheese and raisin cake recipe is not only simple but also full of tradition, being a wonderful way to bring the family together around the table. So, don’t hesitate, gather the ingredients and start your culinary adventure! Enjoy!

 Ingredients: For the dough: -400 g flour -100 g sugar -butter the size of a walnut -200 ml milk -2 tablespoons oil -2 eggs -rum essence, vanilla -a cube of yeast -a little salt For the filling: -800 g cottage cheese -200 g powdered sugar -butter the size of a walnut -4 eggs -2-3 tablespoons sour cream -vanilla sugar -150 g raisins -1 tablespoon semolina -1 tablespoon flour -grated zest of one lemon -a little salt

 Tags:  easter menu cow cheese raisins unt sour cream easter bread pasta recipes easter cake and sweet bread