Sweet cheese and raisin Easter bread

Sweet cheese and raisin pasca: a traditional dessert, perfect for holidays

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 50-60 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 8-10

Sweet cheese and raisin pasca is a traditional Romanian dessert, full of flavor and aroma, reminiscent of Easter celebrations. This simple and quick recipe is ideal for those who want to impress with a tasty and beautiful dish. Follow the steps below and discover the secrets of a perfect dessert.

Ingredients:

For the dough:
- 500 g flour
- 200 ml lukewarm milk
- 100 g sugar
- 100 g butter (melted)
- 3 eggs (separate the whites from the yolks)
- 25 g fresh yeast
- 1 pinch of salt
- Zest of one lemon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the filling:
- 500 g sweet cottage cheese
- 150 g sugar
- 2 eggs
- 100 g raisins (soaked in warm water or rum)
- Zest of one lemon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt

Preparation:

1. Activating the yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the fresh yeast with a heaping teaspoon of sugar and one yolk in 2-3 tablespoons of lukewarm milk. Mix well until smooth. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes until it becomes frothy. This step is essential to ensure good rising of the dough.

2. Preparing the dough: In a large bowl, sift the flour together with the salt and lemon zest. Add the yeast mixture, the other yolks, lukewarm milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Knead the dough for 10-15 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little flour, but be careful not to overdo it.

3. Rising the dough: Form a ball from the dough and place it in a bowl greased with a little oil. Cover it with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in volume.

4. Preparing the filling: In a bowl, mix the sweet cheese with sugar, eggs, raisins, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Use a fork or mixer to obtain a smooth mixture. Make sure the raisins are well soaked in water or rum to add extra flavor.

5. Assembling: After the dough has risen, divide it into two equal parts. Roll out the first part into a square or round sheet, about 0.5 cm thick. Place the cheese filling in the center of the dough, then fold the edges to seal the filling. Repeat the process with the second part of the dough. You can create a beautiful pattern by cutting the dough into strips and arranging them in a cross.

6. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the pasca in a baking tray lined with parchment paper and let it rise for another 20 minutes. Bake the pasca for 50-60 minutes, or until it turns golden and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. Cooling and serving: Let the pasca cool in the tray for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve the pasca with powdered sugar on top and, optionally, with a fruit sauce or sour cream.

Serving suggestion: Sweet cheese and raisin pasca pairs perfectly with a fragrant tea or sweet wine.

Possible variations: You can add other ingredients to the filling, such as dark chocolate or candied fruits, for a personal touch. You can also replace the raisins with cranberries or chopped nuts for a different texture.

This sweet cheese and raisin pasca recipe is not only a delicious dessert but also a way to bring a touch of tradition to every festive meal. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: FOR THE DOUGH: 500 g white flour 000 25 g fresh yeast 150 ml milk 2 egg yolks 2 eggs 120 g sugar 1 packet vanilla sugar grated zest of one lemon 100 g butter 100 g raisins 3-4 tbsp rum 50 g finely chopped walnuts/almonds FOR THE SWEET CHEESE CREAM WITH RAISINS: 500 g fresh cow cheese 4 eggs 150 g sugar 1 packet vanilla sugar 1 tbsp grated lemon zest 100 g butter 1 tbsp semolina 1 tbsp flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 100 g raisins 3-4 tbsp rum