Sweet cheese Easter bread

Sweet cheese pasca is a traditional dessert, full of flavor and symbolism, often served during holidays. This recipe perfectly combines the fluffy texture of the dough with the creamy cheese filling, resulting in a delicacy that delights the taste buds. Whether you enjoy it with loved ones or prepare it for a special occasion, sweet cheese pasca will bring a smile to everyone's face.

Preparation time: 40 minutes
Baking time: 45-50 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 12-16 servings

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 1 kg of high-quality white flour
- 8 egg yolks
- 600 ml of milk
- 50 ml of oil
- 60 g of fresh yeast
- 200 g of butter (melted)
- 200 g of sugar
- 20 ml of rum
- Grated zest of one lemon and one orange (for a fresh aroma)
- A pinch of salt
- Vanilla (essence or vanilla sugar)

For the filling:
- 1500 g of sweet cheese (the best option is well-drained cow cheese)
- 200 g of raisins (you can also use candied fruits for a splash of color)
- 300 g of sugar
- 5 eggs
- Rum essence (to taste)

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the dough
1. In a pot, bring 200 ml of milk to a boil. Once the milk has boiled, take it off the heat.
2. Add 100 g of flour and mix quickly until you obtain a homogeneous composition. This will act as a "starter" for the dough.
3. Let the mixture cool down, but not completely; ideally, it should be warm to the touch.
4. In this warm mixture, dissolve the fresh yeast with a bit of sugar. This step will help the yeast activate better.
5. Cover the pot and let it rise in a warm place until its volume doubles. This process may take about 30-45 minutes.

Step 2: Combining the ingredients
1. In a large bowl, combine the remaining flour, egg yolks, the rest of the milk, oil, melted butter, sugar, grated lemon and orange zest, a pinch of salt, and vanilla.
2. Add the risen yeast mixture and start kneading the dough. The dough should be elastic and not stick to your hands. This process takes about 10-15 minutes.
3. Once the dough is well kneaded, cover it with a clean towel and let it rise again for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in volume.

Step 3: Preparing the filling
1. In a separate bowl, mix the sweet cheese with sugar, beaten eggs, rum essence, and raisins. Make sure the cheese is well-drained and ground to avoid a too-wet filling.
2. Mix all the ingredients well until you obtain a homogeneous composition. Taste the filling and adjust the sugar or rum essence to your liking.

Step 4: Assembling the pasca
1. Divide the dough into three equal parts. Set aside half of each portion to create the top design. The rest of the dough will be used to form the base.
2. Roll out each portion of dough into thin sheets. Place one sheet of dough in a buttered baking pan.
3. Form a braid from the reserved dough and place it around the edges of the pan for a decorative touch.
4. Pour the cheese filling into the center of the pan, smoothing it out with a spatula.
5. From the remaining dough, cut out decorative shapes such as flowers or crosses, which you can place on top of the filling.
6. Brush the entire surface of the dough with beaten egg to achieve a golden, shiny crust.

Step 5: Baking
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
2. Bake the pasca for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
3. Once baked, let the pasca cool in the pan before removing it. This will help maintain its shape.

Serving and suggestions
Sweet cheese pasca is served cold, but it can also be enjoyed warm, alongside a cup of fragrant tea or coffee. It is a versatile dessert, perfect for any occasion, from holidays to festive family meals.

Useful tips
- Choose quality ingredients: The quality of the flour and cheese will influence the final result. Opt for fresh sweet cheese and flour with a high gluten content for a fluffy dough.
- Experiment with flavors: Adding citrus zest or spices like cinnamon can give a personalized touch to the pasca.
- Fruit variation: You can enrich the filling with fresh or candied fruits, such as apricots or peaches, for a more complex flavor.

Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, you can use cow cheese or ricotta, but make sure it is well-drained to avoid a too-wet filling.

2. Can the pasca be frozen?
Yes, the pasca can be frozen, but it is recommended to portion it before freezing. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.

3. How can I adjust the sweetness?
You can reduce the amount of sugar in the filling or dough according to personal preferences.

Conclusion
Sweet cheese pasca is more than just a simple dessert; it is a recipe that brings together traditions and moments of celebration. With every bite, you will feel the warmth and joy that cooking with love offers. So, put on your chef's apron, gather the ingredients, and let yourself be inspired by the delicious aroma of this pasca. You will be proud of the final result and will surely want to repeat it for every special occasion!

 Ingredients: Dough: 1kg of very high-quality white flour, 8 egg yolks, 600ml of milk, 50ml of oil, 60g of fresh yeast, 200g of butter, 200g of sugar, 20ml of rum, grated zest from one lemon and one orange, a pinch of salt, vanilla (essence or vanilla sugar). Filling: 1500g of sweet cheese, 200g of raisins, 300g of sugar, 5 eggs, rum essence.