This Zapekanka (Farmer’s Cheese Cake) is a rich, sweet, and tangy dessert that you are going to love. With a tart raspberry topping, this dish is full of amazing flavors.
Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
I love this simple Zapekanka dessert. It’s made with farmer’s cheese, which is rich and creamy. This is a traditional Ukrainian dish that I’ve always loved and I’m so happy to share it with you. You’re going to love this simple, yet flavorful dessert.
- TASTE: Made with full fat yogurt, farmer’s cheese, and sour cream, this cheese cake is rich and satisfying. With tart raspberries and a sweet tangy base, it’s scrumptious.
- TEXTURE: It’s creamy, smooth, and dense, yet still fluffy. The sticky berry filling adds a contrast that’s delightful.
- TIME: This recipe takes just over an hour to make.
- EASE: This is so easy to make. With simple, basic ingredients, this versatile dish is a breeze.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Farmer’s cheese- This mild and slightly tangy cheese has a consistency like ricotta cheese to create a dense dessert that’s delicious. You can find it at Whole Foods or European delis.
- Greek yogurt- You should use full-fat plain Greek yogurt for the creamy thickness and added protein.
- Sour cream- Again, full-fat is the way to go. This ups the tanginess of the cheese cake and makes it smooth and creamy.
- Granulated sugar- For sweetness.
- Large eggs- Room temperature eggs act as a binder for the batter and also give the cake some fluffiness.
- Vanilla extract- For a touch of vanilla flavor.
- Corn starch- This is used to thicken the batter.
- Salt- To offset the sweetness and enhance it.
- Fresh raspberries- Fresh berries act as the topping. You can also use frozen and thawed berries, but make sure to drain them well so they’re not watery.
- Powdered sugar- This tops the dessert for an added touch of sweet.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Substitute other berries- You can also make this recipe with blueberries, blackberries, or strawberries for some variation.
- Use lower fat ingredients- If you did want to make this a lighter dessert, then you can use low fat sour cream and Greek yogurt. But the cake won’t taste as rich.
- Add raisins- Adding raisins is a favorite for some and they add a nice juicy sweetness to the cake.
How to Make Zapekanka
- Mix all ingredients except for raspberries and powdered sugar. In a large bowl, mix together the farmer’s cheese, sour cream, yogurt, cornstarch, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt using a spatula.
- Blend the batter. Once its mostly mixed, blend everything with an immersion blender to make it extra creamy.
Pro Tip: Use an immersion blender because it will give the batter a smoothness that can’t be reached by hand without tons of effort. You’ll love the results.
- Pour the batter in a pan. Pour the mixture in a parchment-lined 9×9 baking pan.
- Add the berries. Add raspberries on top.
- Bake. Bake at 350°F in the oven for 50 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool and top with sugar. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool for about 20-30 minutes before adding powdered sugar on top and slicing to serve.
Recipe Tips
- Use store-bought farmer’s cheese- Make sure to use the farmer’s cheese that the European deli or Whole Foods have. The quick, 2-ingredient homemade kind won’t work here. It will be too dry.
- Use full-fat ingredients- For the best flavor and texture, use full-fat sour cream and Greek yogurt. These are thicker and creamier than other forms.
- Add as many berries as you want- I made mine into a nice pattern so there was one raspberry per slice, but feel free to add as many as you like.
FAQs
The best cheese for this dish is farmer’s cheese because it’s dry and like pressed cottage cheese. Small curd cottage cheese also works. Just make sure to use a cheesecloth to remove excess water to keep the batter rich.
No, you don’t need a special pan. This recipe is for a 9×9 square pan but other pans work as well. Lining it with parchment paper and rubbing it with butter keeps the cake from sticking.
Serving Suggestions
This traditional Ukrainian cheesecake recipe is so versatile, it goes wonderfully with everything. Enjoy this treat with different toppings, breakfast dishes, or your favorite caffeinated beverage.
- Toppings: Top this dish with sweet and savory toppings, like sour cream, raspberry sauce, condensed milk, or raspberry coulis.
- Breakfast favorites: Pair this sweet cake with some Egg Bites, Crispy Air Fryer Bacon, Eggs Benedict, or Croissant Breakfast Sandwiches.
- Beverages: Enjoy a slice of this homemade cheesecake with coffee or tea. Try this Raspberry Matcha Latte, Mango Smoothie, or Iced White Chocolate Mocha.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: You can make this cheese cake ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to top with powdered sugar and serve.
Storing: Store this cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freeze: You can freeze this cake by the slice in freezer safe containers, but it’s best fresh. The dairy in the cake doesn’t thaw as creamy as it is when it’s freshly made.
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Full Recipe Instructions
Zapekanka (Farmer’s Cheese Cake)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups farmers cheese
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt full fat
- 1/2 cup sour cream full fat
- 4 eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 6 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup fresh raspberries optional for topping
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar for topping
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients except for raspberries and powdered sugar in a large bowl using a spatula. Note: make sure to use the farmer’s cheese that the European deli or Whole Foods have. The quick 2 ingredient homemade kind won’t work here. It will be too dry.
- Once its mostly with a spatular, blend everything with Emersion blender to make it extra creamy.
- Pour the batter in a parchment-lined 9×9 baking pan.
- Add raspberries on top. (Add as many as you want).
- Bake at 350 °F for 50 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 20-30 minutes before adding powdered sugar and slicing.
Nutrition
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