Cheese Cake with Strawberries

Brinzica Strawberry Cake

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 25-30 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 8

Discover a refined and delicious dessert: Brinzica Cake with strawberries. This cake with a delicate crust and a delicious cheese filling will bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones. Here’s how you can prepare this simple yet impressive recipe that combines sweet and savory flavors in perfect harmony.

Ingredients for the crust:
- 250 g flour
- 125 g cold butter (cut into cubes)
- 70 g sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Ingredients for the filling:
- 300 g cottage cheese (or ricotta for a finer texture)
- 100 g sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 250 g fresh strawberries (cut in half)

Step-by-step preparation:

1. Preparing the crust: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter and rub it in with your fingers until the mixture becomes crumbly, resembling wet sand. It is essential for the butter to be cold to achieve a flaky crust. If you want a special aroma, add the vanilla extract.

2. Forming the dough: Add the egg and mix well until the dough starts to come together. If it is too dry, you can add a tablespoon of cold water. Form a ball from the dough, wrap it in plastic wrap, and let it chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

3. Preparing the filling: In a bowl, combine the cottage cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla essence. Mix well with a mixer or spatula until you obtain a homogeneous mixture. Make sure the cheese is well crumbled to avoid lumps.

4. Assembling the cake: Preheat the oven to 180°C. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out on a floured surface, forming an even thickness. Place the rolled-out dough into a cake pan (preferably with a removable bottom), ensuring that you cover the edges as well. Trim any excess dough.

5. Adding the filling: Pour the cheese filling into the crust and level it with a spatula. Arrange the halved strawberries on top of the filling, distributing them evenly.

6. Baking: Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and the edges are golden. Check occasionally, as each oven may bake differently.

7. Cooling: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully remove it and let it cool completely on a wire rack.

8. Serving: Brinzica Strawberry Cake is served cold, preferably alongside a scoop of sour cream or vanilla ice cream for a delicious contrast. You can also add a few mint leaves for an elegant touch.

Variation suggestion: You can replace the strawberries with other seasonal fruits, such as raspberries, blueberries, or peaches, to create a different cake each time. This quick and simple recipe is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a family lunch or a party with friends. Enjoy every slice and savor the admiring comments from your loved ones!

 Ingredients: A form with a diameter of 28 cm, for a crumbly dough: 200 g flour, a pinch of baking powder, 100 g sugar, 1 tablespoon of vanilla sugar, 1 egg yolk, 100 g butter (or margarine). For the filling: 500 g sweet cheese (if possible, use Schichtkase, which is highly recommended for all cheese cakes), 3 eggs + 1 egg white (the one left from the dough), 100 g butter (margarine), 150 g sugar, 1/2 lemon, 150 g crème fraîche (thick sour cream), 50 g kitchen starch (Gustin), 500 g strawberries (feel free to add more if desired), 1 packet of red glaze for fruits/cakes, liquid cream for whipped cream + vanilla sugar.