Sweet cheese tart with fruits

Cheese and fruit tart - A perfect delicacy for any occasion

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 80-90 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 60 minutes
Number of servings: 10

Welcome to the world of culinary delights! Today, I invite you to prepare a cheese and fruit tart together, which is sure to win the hearts of all. This recipe is a perfect blend of textures and flavors, featuring a crispy crust and a creamy filling enriched with fresh fruits. The tart is ideal for a family dessert or to impress guests at a party. Let's get started!

A brief history

The cheese tart is a classic dessert, appreciated in many cultures for its versatility. Over time, it has evolved into numerous variations, but our recipe focuses on simplicity and authenticity. A combination of cottage cheese, eggs, and sugar, along with a flaky crust, brings back the joy of childhood and moments spent around the table with loved ones.

Ingredients

For the crust:
- 250-300 g flour (make sure it is sifted to avoid lumps)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (this will help the crust rise)
- 1 egg (at room temperature, for better incorporation)
- 60 g sugar (you can use brown sugar for a deeper flavor)
- 125 g margarine (or butter, if you prefer a richer taste)
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (adds a fresh and invigorating aroma)

For the filling:
- 125 g margarine (melted)
- 150 g sugar (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
- 2 packets vanilla sugar (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- 1/2 vial vanilla essence
- 1/2 vial lemon essence
- 4 eggs (at room temperature)
- 1 packet vanilla pudding (which will give a creamy texture)
- 1 kg cottage cheese (make sure it is well drained)
- 4 nectarines (or other seasonal fruits, like peaches or plums)

Step by step

Preparing the crust

1. Sifting the ingredients: In a large bowl, sift the flour together with the baking powder. This step is essential as it helps the crust become airy and lighter.

2. Adding the ingredients: Make a well in the center of the flour and add the egg, sugar, lemon zest, and melted margarine. Use a wooden spoon to mix the ingredients until you obtain a homogeneous composition.

3. Forming the dough: If the dough is too soft, add 1-2 tablespoons of flour until it becomes pliable and no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl.

4. Chilling the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This will make the dough easier to roll out.

Preparing the filling

5. Mixing the ingredients: In a food processor, combine the cottage cheese, melted margarine, sugar, lemon zest, vanilla sugar, and essences. Blend well for a few minutes until you achieve a creamy composition.

6. Adding the egg yolks: Beat the egg yolks with the pudding powder, then add them to the cheese mixture and blend again.

7. Beating the egg whites: Separately, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. These will give the filling a light and airy texture. Gently fold the egg whites into the cheese mixture using a spatula to maintain the air in the egg whites.

Assembling and baking

8. Preparing the baking pan: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it out on a floured surface. Roll the dough larger than the removable-bottom cake pan (26 cm diameter) so it can rise over the sides of the pan.

9. Transferring the dough: Grease the bottom of the pan with oil and sprinkle with flour. Use plastic wrap to lift the dough and easily transfer it into the pan.

10. Adding the filling: Pour the cheese mixture into the pan and level it out. Arrange the slices of nectarines on top, adding a touch of color and freshness.

11. Baking: Preheat the oven to medium temperature. Place the tart in the oven and bake for 80-90 minutes. After 30 minutes, when the tart has a nice color, cover it with a sheet of baking paper to prevent burning on top. In the end, the tart will be firm and lightly browned.

12. Cooling: Once the baking time is up, turn off the oven and let the tart cool gradually inside the oven with the door slightly ajar. This step will help avoid cracking.

Serving and variations

Once completely cooled, the tart can be served plain or with a dollop of sour cream or whipped cream on top. A delicious combination is to serve it with a berry sauce or caramel syrup.

If you want to experiment, you can replace the nectarines with other seasonal fruits, such as raspberries, blackberries, or even caramelized apples, for a different taste.

Nutritional benefits

This cheese tart is not only delicious but also relatively healthy. Cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein and calcium, while the fruits add essential vitamins and antioxidants. You can adjust the amount of sugar to make the dessert less sweet without compromising the flavor.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, you can use goat cheese or ricotta, but make sure to adjust the amount of sugar based on the taste of each cheese.

2. What can I do if I don't have margarine?
You can replace margarine with butter or even coconut oil for an exotic flavor.

3. How can I store the tart?
The tart keeps well in the refrigerator, covered, for 3-4 days. You can bring it back to room temperature or warm it slightly before serving.

Now that you have all the necessary information, all that's left is to get cooking! The cheese and fruit tart will surely become a favorite in your home. Enjoy every slice and savor the moment of taste!

 Ingredients: Dough 250-300 g flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 egg 60 g sugar 125 g margarine 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel Filling 125 g margarine 150 g sugar (the recipe says 1 glass of sugar, which is a bit more) 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel 2 packets vanilla sugar 1/2 vial vanilla essence 1/2 vial lemon essence 4 eggs 1 packet vanilla pudding 1 kg cottage cheese 4 nectarines