Indulge in the luxurious Golden Drops Cheesecake, a masterpiece that combines the creamy richness of cheesecake with the smoothness of vanilla pudding and the light, airy touch of meringue. This dessert is structured in distinct layers, each contributing its own texture and flavor, creating a symphony of taste in every bite. The delicate meringue topping, lightly browned to perfection, adds a visually appealing finish that hints at the dessert's decadent character.
Why You'll Love This: This cheesecake is not just a treat for the palate but also a delight for the eyes, with its golden meringue peaks that are reminiscent of little golden drops. The combination of a buttery base, creamy quark filling, and fluffy meringue offers a contrast in textures that’s both satisfying and luxurious. It's the perfect dessert for those who appreciate a sophisticated twist on the classic cheesecake.
Perfect Occasion: This Golden Drops Cheesecake is an ideal choice for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, or any festive gathering. Its elegant appearance and exquisite taste make it a standout dessert that's sure to impress guests and make any celebration even more memorable.
Decoration Tips: To enhance the visual appeal, you can garnish the cheesecake with fresh berries or a dusting of powdered sugar before serving. For a festive touch during the holidays, consider adding edible gold leaf or gold sprinkles on top of the meringue for that extra sparkle.
Ingredients:
- For the Base:
- 200g flour
- 75g sugar
- 75g butter
- 1 egg yolk (medium-large)
- 35ml milk
- 1 tsp vanilla sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- For the Pudding:
- 500 ml milk
- 2 tsp vanilla sugar
- 1 packet vanilla pudding powder
- 40g sugar
- For the Quark Mixture:
- 500g curd or quark
- 140g sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla sugar
- 150 ml sunflower oil
- 1 whole egg (medium-large)
- 2 egg yolks (medium-large)
- For the Meringue:
- 3 egg whites
- 60g sugar
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pudding:
- Cook the milk, vanilla sugar, pudding powder, and sugar according to package instructions until thickened. Transfer to a bowl, cover with cling film to prevent a skin from forming, and let cool slightly.
- Make the Base:
- Mix the flour, sugar, butter, egg yolk, milk, vanilla sugar, and baking powder into a dough. Press the dough into a greased 26 cm springform pan, forming a base and sides up to 3/4 of the edge.
- Assemble the Quark Mixture:
- Combine the curd or quark, sugar, vanilla sugar, oil, whole egg, and egg yolks. Mix until smooth. Add the slightly warm pudding to the quark mixture and stir to combine. Spread this filling over the crust.
- Baking:
- Pre-bake the assembled cake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for 45 minutes on the second rack from the bottom.
- Prepare and Add the Meringue:
- Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, gradually adding the sugar. Briefly remove the cake from the oven, spread the meringue on top, and return to the oven to bake for an additional 7-10 minutes, or until the meringue is lightly browned.
- Cooling:
- Turn off the oven and let the cake cool inside with the door open for 30 minutes. Then, remove and let it cool completely on a rack. Refrigerate overnight to set.
Serve this Golden Drops Cheesecake chilled, allowing the layers of flavor and texture to meld perfectly, providing a delightful dessert experience that's as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.