This zapekanka (farmhouse cheesecake) is a rich, sweet and tangy dessert that you’ll love. Topped with tangy raspberries, this dish is full of great flavor.
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Recipe details
I love this simple zapekanka dessert. We use rich and creamy farmer’s cheese. This is a traditional Ukrainian dish that I have always loved and am so excited to share with you. You’ll love this simple yet flavorful dessert.
Taste: Made with full-fat yogurt, farmer’s cheese, and sour cream, this cheesecake is rich and satisfying. It’s delicious, with tart raspberries and a sweet, tangy base. Texture: Creamy, smooth, dense yet fluffy. The gooey berry filling adds a fun contrast. Time: This recipe takes just over an hour to make. Easy: This is very easy to make. This versatile dish is easy with simple and basic ingredients.
what you need


Ingredient memo
Farmer’s Cheese – This mild, slightly tangy cheese has a ricotta-like consistency and makes a delicious, rich dessert. You can find it at Whole Foods and European Deli. Greek Yogurt – For creamy richness and added protein, you should use full-fat plain Greek yogurt. Sour Cream – Again, full fat is best. This increases the acidity of the cheesecake and makes it smooth and creamy. Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness. Large eggs – Room temperature eggs act as a binder in the batter and give the cake a fluffy feel. Vanilla Extract – Adds a slight vanilla flavor. Cornstarch – Used to thicken the dough. Salt – Offsets and enhances sweetness. Fresh Raspberries – Fresh berries serve as a topping. You can also use frozen and thawed berries, but be sure to drain them well so they don’t get soggy. Powdered sugar – Topping desserts for added sweetness.
Replace with add-in
Substitute other berries – For variations, you can also make this recipe with blueberries, blackberries, or strawberries. Use low-fat ingredients – If you want a lighter dessert, you can use low-fat sour cream and Greek yogurt. However, the cake is not that rich in flavor. Add raisins – Some people like to add raisins. Raisins add a juicy sweetness to the cake.
How to make zapekanka
Mix all ingredients except raspberries and powdered sugar. In a large bowl, combine farmer’s cheese, sour cream, yogurt, cornstarch, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt with a spatula. Mix the dough. Once almost mixed, blend everything with an immersion blender to make it even creamier.
Pro tip: Using an immersion blender will give you a smoother dough than you can achieve by hand without a lot of effort. You’ll love the results!


Pour the batter into the pot. Pour mixture into a 9×9 baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Add berries. Add raspberries on top. bake. Bake in a 350°F 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, then add powdered sugar on top, slice and serve.


recipe tips
Use store-bought farmer’s cheese – Be sure to use the farmer’s cheese you can find at European Deli or Whole Foods. A quick, two-ingredient homemade version won’t cut it 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 foams. Add as many berries as you like. I made it into a nice pattern so there was one raspberry per slice, but feel free to add as many as you like.
FAQ
The best cheese for this dish is farmer’s cheese, as it is dry and resembles pressed cottage cheese. A small curd cottage cheese is also effective. To keep the dough thick, be sure to use cheesecloth to remove excess moisture.
No, you don’t need a special pot. This recipe is for a 9×9 square pot, but any other pot will work just as well. If you line it with parchment paper and rub it with butter, it will prevent the cake from sticking.


offer suggestions
This traditional Ukrainian cheesecake recipe is very versatile and can be paired with anything. Enjoy this treat with a variety of toppings, breakfast dishes, or your favorite caffeinated beverage.
Make this recipe in advance
Make ahead: This cheesecake can be made ahead of time, dusted with powdered sugar and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Storage: This cake can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezing: You can freeze this cake by placing the slices in the freezer, but it tastes best fresh. Dairy products in cakes won’t be as creamy when thawed as they would be when freshly made.
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complete recipe instructions


Zapekanka (Farmer’s Cheesecake)
This zapekanka (farmhouse cheesecake) is a rich, sweet and tangy dessert that you’ll love. Topped with tangy raspberries, this dish is full of great flavor.
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Quantity: 16 square
calorie: 170kcal
Instructions
Combine all ingredients except raspberries and powdered sugar in a large bowl and use a spatula to mix. Note: Be sure to use farmer’s cheese, which you can find at European Deli or Whole Foods. Homemade ones that are easy to make with two ingredients won’t work here. It will be too dry.
Once it’s mostly set with a spatula, mix everything together with an emersion blender to make it even creamier.
Add raspberries on top. (Add as many as you need).
Bake at 350°F for 50 minutes.
nutrition
calorie: 170kcal | carbohydrates: 15g | protein: 10g | fat: 7g | Saturated fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated fats: 0.3g | Monounsaturated fats: 1g | Trans fat: 0.01g | cholesterol: 65mg | sodium: 295mg | potassium: 38mg | fiber: 0.03g | sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 105IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | calcium: twenty fourmg | iron: 0.2mg
Hello, I’m Dina, and I’m glad you’re here! I think life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy-to-follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can whip up healthy, delicious meals. I hope you find something fun to do!
