Description
Zapekanka is a traditional Ukrainian cheesecake featuring a creamy cottage cheese base blended with eggs, sugar, and sour cream, then baked until golden and set. This comforting dessert offers a slightly tangy and sweet flavor, often enhanced with raisins and lemon zest for added aroma and texture. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, it is lightly dusted with powdered sugar before serving.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups (500g) cottage cheese or farmer’s cheese (drained if wet)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (60ml) sour cream or plain yogurt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (75g) raisins (optional)
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
For Preparation
- 2 tablespoons butter (for greasing the pan)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the zapekanka.
- Prepare the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, eggs, sugar, sour cream or plain yogurt, vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt. Blend the mixture until smooth but retain some texture from the cheese. If desired, gently fold in the raisins and lemon zest to add sweetness and aromatic notes.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish thoroughly with butter to prevent sticking. Pour the prepared cheesecake batter into the dish and smooth out the top evenly.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes until the top turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating it is cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the zapekanka cool in the dish for 10 to 15 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Before slicing, dust with powdered sugar if you like for a touch of extra sweetness and a pretty finish.
Notes
- You can substitute sour cream with plain yogurt depending on availability or preference.
- Draining the cottage cheese if it’s very wet prevents an overly soggy zapekanka.
- Optional ingredients like raisins and lemon zest add a nice contrast in texture and flavor but can be omitted.
- Ensure the baking dish is well-greased to make removal easier and prevent sticking.
- Allow the zapekanka to cool properly for best slicing and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Ukrainian
