Cheese and chocolate Easter cake

Cheese and Chocolate Pasca - a traditional dessert with a modern twist

Total preparation time: 2 hours
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 12

Welcome to the world of sweet delights, where tradition harmoniously blends with innovation! Cheese and chocolate pasca is not just a simple dessert, but a true feast for the taste buds. With a delicate dough and a creamy filling, this dish will surely become the star of festive meals or gatherings with friends. Let’s discover together the necessary steps to achieve a perfect pasca, as well as some tricks and variations to make it even more special.

Necessary ingredients

For the dough:
- 300 g wheat flour
- 1 egg
- 100 g butter (for a richer dough, use high-quality butter)
- 50 ml sweet milk (make sure it is warm, not hot)
- 2 tablespoons vanilla sugar (choose a sugar with a low vanilla grade for a more subtle taste)
- 1 pinch of salt
- Yeast the size of an egg yolk (approximately 25 g)

For the filling:
- 2 kg sweet cottage cheese (preferably fresh, for a creamy texture)
- 250 g raisins (ideally soak them in warm water for 30 minutes to hydrate)
- 250 g sour cream (choose fatty sour cream for a rich taste)
- 250 g vanilla sugar (adjust the amount according to taste)
- 5 duck eggs (or 7 chicken eggs, depending on preference)
- 100 g plain biscuits (these will help absorb excess moisture)

For decoration:
- 100 g chocolate (choose chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content for an intense flavor)
- 1 small cube of butter or a tablespoon of fatty sour cream (to make the melted chocolate creamier)

Step by step - Your guide to an unforgettable pasca

1. Preparing the dough:
In a large bowl, sift the flour and add the salt. Make a well in the center and add the egg, melted butter, activated yeast in warm milk, and vanilla sugar. Knead the dough well until it becomes elastic and homogeneous. It is important not to knead it excessively, to avoid it becoming too tough.

2. Let the dough rise:
After kneading the dough, make the sign of the cross over it, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in volume.

3. Preparing the filling:
In another bowl, combine the cottage cheese with sour cream, vanilla sugar, raisins, and eggs. Add the crushed biscuits (these will absorb excess liquid) and mix well until you obtain a homogeneous composition. Make sure the cheese is well mashed to avoid lumps.

4. Assembling the pasca:
After the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface, forming a thin sheet. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place the dough sheet in it, leaving the edges slightly overhanging. Pour the cheese filling over the dough, smoothing it out with a spatula. Beat an egg and brush it over the filling for a glossy appearance.

5. Baking:
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the tray in the oven and bake the pasca for 50-60 minutes, or until it turns golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If you notice it browning too quickly, cover it with aluminum foil.

6. Finishing:
After the pasca is baked, let it cool slightly. Meanwhile, melt the chocolate in a bain-marie with the butter or sour cream, stirring continuously. Pour the melted chocolate over the pasca, allowing it to drizzle slightly over the edges.

Serving suggestions and variations

This cheese and chocolate pasca can be served warm or cold, and for an extra flavor boost, you can accompany it with a berry sauce or a spoonful of sour cream. Additionally, a sweet wine or fresh lemonade will perfectly complement this delicacy.

If you want to experiment, you can replace the chocolate with caramel or a fruit sauce, thus bringing an original note to the dessert. Furthermore, you can add flavorings such as lemon or orange zest to the cheese filling to give it a fresh hint.

Nutritional information and calories

One serving of pasca contains approximately 350-400 calories, being a good source of protein due to the cheese and eggs. It also provides a considerable amount of calcium, essential for bone health. However, considering the sugar and fat content, it is recommended to consume it in moderation.

Frequently asked questions

1. What type of cheese should I use?
It is recommended to use sweet cottage cheese of good quality to achieve a creamy texture. You can also try ricotta cheese for a lighter version.

2. Can I use whole grain biscuits?
Of course! Whole grain biscuits can add a flavor note and an interesting texture to the pasca.

3. How can I store the pasca?
Keep the pasca covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness. It can be consumed for up to 3-4 days.

4. Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
This recipe is not vegan due to the cheese and eggs, but you can experiment with plant-based alternatives to create a vegan version.

So, dear ones, don’t hesitate any longer! Put on your chef's gloves and venture into making this cheese and chocolate pasca. It will surely bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones and turn any meal into a celebration. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: Ingredients for the dough: - 300 g wheat flour - 1 egg - 1 cube of butter, just enough to make a sufficiently firm dough - 50 ml sweet milk - 2 tablespoons vanilla sugar with a low vanilla grade - 1 pinch of salt - yeast the size of an egg yolk Ingredients for the filling: - 2 kg sweet cow cheese - 250 g raisins - 250 g sour cream - 250 g vanilla sugar with a low vanilla grade - 5 duck eggs - 100 g plain biscuits For decoration: - 1 chocolate bar of 100 g - 1 small cube of butter or a tablespoon of heavy cream