Traditional Easter Cake
Traditional Easter cake is undoubtedly a symbol of the Easter holidays, a dessert that brings together the sweet flavors of cheese with those of fluffy dough. This easy-to-follow recipe will help you create a delicious Easter cake, perfect for sharing with loved ones. So, get ready to discover not just a recipe, but a tradition full of meaning!
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 12
Ingredients
For the dough (3 cakes, 2 smaller and one larger):
- 1 kg flour
- 5 egg yolks
- 100 g butter (at room temperature)
- 100 g sour cream
- 200 g sugar
- 25 g fresh yeast
- 100 ml milk (warm)
- 1 essence of rum
- Grated peel of one orange
- A pinch of salt
For the filling:
- 1 kg well-drained cottage cheese
- 3 whole eggs + 2 yolks
- 3 tablespoons of thick sour cream
- 250 g powdered sugar
- 100 g raisins (soaked)
- 2 tablespoons of semolina
- Grated peel of one lemon
- 2 essences of rum
- 2 packets of vanilla sugar
- 2 eggs for brushing
Preparing the dough
1. Preparing the ingredients: Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature for a uniform and fluffy dough. The milk should be warm, not hot, to activate the yeast without destroying it.
2. Activating the yeast: In a large bowl, place the flour and make a well in the center. Rub the yeast with a teaspoon of sugar and a splash of oil, then add the mixture to the well in the flour. Let it rise for 10 minutes.
3. Mixing the yolks: In a separate bowl, beat the yolks with the sugar until it completely dissolves. Add the softened butter and mix again.
4. Combining the ingredients: Pour the yolk mixture over the flour, add the sour cream, rum essence, orange peel, and salt. Mix with your hands, then start adding the warm milk gradually until the dough becomes homogeneous.
5. Kneading the dough: When the dough becomes elastic, sprinkle a little oil on your hands and knead for 5 minutes. This process will help develop the gluten, giving the dough a fluffy texture.
6. Letting the dough rise: Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in volume.
Preparing the filling
1. Preparing the raisins: Soak the raisins in warm water mixed with rum essence to enhance their flavor. Let them sit for 15 minutes.
2. Mixing the filling ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese with the beaten eggs, sour cream, lemon peel, powdered sugar, vanilla sugar, semolina, and drained raisins. Mix well so that all ingredients are homogeneous.
Assembling the Easter cake
1. Preparing the pans: Grease the pans with a little butter or margarine and line them with parchment paper. This will prevent the cake from sticking.
2. Dividing the dough: Divide the dough into three equal parts. Roll each part into a thin sheet, ensuring you have enough dough for the sides of the pan as well.
3. Laying the dough: Place each sheet in the pan, including the sides, and prick with a fork to avoid air bubbles during baking.
4. Adding the filling: Divide the cheese filling into three equal parts and fill each pan.
5. Decorating: Using the remaining dough, create various decorative shapes (crosses, birds, braids) and place them on top of the filling. These details will make the cake not only delicious but also visually appealing.
6. Brushing with egg: Beat the two eggs and brush the cake with this mixture to achieve a golden and shiny crust.
Baking
1. Setting the oven: Preheat the oven to a medium temperature (about 180°C).
2. Baking: Bake the cake for about 1 hour, until it turns golden and slightly pulls away from the edges of the pan.
3. Finishing: Remove the cake from the oven and brush it with a mixture of water, sugar, and a little oil. Cover it with paper towels to keep it soft and moist.
Serving and storing
Once the cake has completely cooled, wrap it in cling film to keep it fresh. The cake can be served plain or with a dollop of sour cream on top.
Practical tips
- Variants: Experiment with different fillings by adding chocolate or dried fruits to the cheese filling.
- Recommended drinks: The cake pairs perfectly with a sweet wine or a fragrant tea that highlights the dessert's flavors.
- Frequently asked questions:
- *Why should I use well-drained cottage cheese?* This will help avoid a filling that is too wet, which can affect the final texture of the cake.
- *Can I use dry yeast instead of fresh yeast?* Yes, use about 7 g of dry yeast.
Nutritional benefits
The cake is rich in protein due to the cottage cheese and eggs, also having a considerable calcium content. Although it is a dessert, its ingredients can provide a source of energy and essential nutrients.
Personal note
This Easter cake recipe is a traditional gift, but also an opportunity to create memories with loved ones. Sharing a slice of cake with family gives you the chance to talk about Easter traditions and bring a touch of magic to your meals. Cooking is, after all, about love and connection, and the Easter cake is undoubtedly a centerpiece of this holiday.
So, put on your kitchen apron, gather the ingredients, and get ready to impress your family and friends with a delicious Easter cake!
Ingredients: For the dough: (from this dough I got 3 small Easter breads, 2 smaller ones and one larger) 1 kg flour, 5 egg yolks, 100 g butter, 100 g sour cream, 200 g sugar, 25 g yeast, 100 ml milk (the quantity is not fixed as it depends on how the dough feels in your hands), 1 essence of rum, grated orange peel, 1 pinch of salt. Filling: 1 kg well-drained cottage cheese, 3 eggs + 2 yolks, 3 tablespoons thick sour cream, 250 g powdered sugar, 100 g raisins, 2 tablespoons semolina, grated lemon peel, 2 essences of rum, 2 packets of vanilla sugar, 2 eggs for brushing.
