Grandma's secret: Easy, creamy cheesecake for Christmas
Cheesecake is a must-bake for Christmas. Pay special attention to its ingredients and preparation is important, but that doesn't mean you have to reach for expensive products or spend long hours in the kitchen. The cheesecake from this recipe is exceptionally easy to prepare and always turns out creamy and delicate.
The secret of Grandma's cheesecake lies in the two types of cheese. The mixture includes triple-ground quark and mascarpone cheese. The fluffiness comes from the stiffly beaten egg whites added to the cheese mixture at the end. You beat all the ingredients with a mixer, achieving a texture similar to mixing in a mortar.
Ensure quality ingredients for your cheesecake
Good quark is the foundation of a cheesecake. Although you might be tempted to reach for pre-made mixes, choosing regular white cheese in a block is worth it. Want a silky taste? Opt for a fatty variety and grind it three times with a meat grinder. If you don't have a grinder, you can use a blender.
The second product not worth skimping on is vanilla sugar. In most stores, you'll find a cheaper substitute in the form of vanillin sugar. Instead of real vanilla, it contains a synthetically derived substitute with a similar aroma, usually made from flavored wood pulp.
Try preparing sugar with seeds from a vanilla pod yourself, and you'll see how beautifully and deeply your baked goods will be infused with aroma.
How to make a delicate cheesecake from grandma's recipe?
Here are the ingredients for a cheesecake you bake in a 9.5-inch diameter springform pan:
- 1.1 lbs of quark, ground three times
- 0.55 lbs of mascarpone cheese
- 5.3 oz of powdered sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 tablespoons of potato flour
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla sugar
- a pinch of salt
Preparation
- Separate the yolks from the whites. Mix the ground quark with yolks, powdered sugar, and vanilla sugar.
- Add potato flour, a pinch of salt, and mascarpone cheese, spoon by spoon. Mix with a mixer to achieve a cohesive mass.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites. Add them to the cheese mixture and gently mix with a wooden spoon or cake spatula.
- Preheat the oven to 320 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the cheesecake inside to bake for 60 minutes. After baking, turn off the oven but don't remove the cheesecake yet. Leave it to cool with the door slightly open.
How to make a creamy cheesecake with a festive touch?
You can add grated orange zest and cinnamon to the cheese mixture, perfectly complementing the vanilla aroma. However, if you prefer not to add anything inside, a good idea for a festive touch is decoration. You can glaze the cheesecake with white or milk chocolate coating. Top it with candied orange peel, ground walnuts, or almond flakes.
