Experience the joy of the holidays with this Traditional Poppy Seed Cheesecake, a dessert that perfectly combines the rich textures and flavors of poppy seed and cheesecake layers. Known for its festive appeal, this dessert features a crunchy shortcrust base, a lush poppy seed filling, and a creamy cheesecake topping, each layer adding its own unique taste and texture. Wrapped up with a zesty lemon icing and a sprinkle of orange zest, it's a dessert that truly embodies the spirit of celebration.
Why You'll Love This: This cake is a delightful blend of textures and flavors, from the buttery shortcrust to the rich poppy seed middle layer and the smooth cheesecake top. The lemon icing adds a refreshing zest that cuts through the richness, making each bite as inviting as the last. It's a dessert that's as enjoyable to make as it is to serve, providing a beautiful centerpiece for any holiday table.
Perfect Occasion: Ideal for Christmas, Easter, or any festive gathering where you want to impress your guests with something special and traditionally heartwarming. This cheesecake is perfect for those who appreciate a dessert that speaks to the soul of holiday traditions.
Decoration Tips: Enhance this cheesecake by drizzling the top with lemon icing and sprinkling finely grated orange zest for a pop of color and flavor. If you're feeling festive, a few decorative sprigs of mint or holly could add a seasonal touch that's both beautiful and aromatic.
Ingredients:
- For the Shortcrust Pastry:
- 225 g all-purpose flour
- 75 g powdered sugar
- 150 g chilled butter, cubed
- 1 egg yolk
- A pinch of salt
- For the Poppy Seed Filling:
- 1700 g ready-made poppy seed filling (two 850 g cans)
- 3 eggs, separated
- 1 tablespoon of semolina
- For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 1 kg ground cheese (quark or similar)
- 5 eggs, separated
- 200 g fine sugar
- 150 g soft butter
- 1 packet of cream-flavored pudding mix
- For the Lemon Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- Lemon juice, as needed
- Additional:
- Orange zest, for garnish
- Prepare the Shortcrust Pastry:
- Sift flour and powdered sugar into a bowl. Add salt and butter, and rub together to form crumbs. Mix in the egg yolk to form a dough. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for about an hour.
- Roll out the dough and line a 25 x 36 cm baking tray with it. Prick with a fork and pre-bake at 190°C for about 17-20 minutes until lightly golden.
- Make the Poppy Seed Filling:
- Mix poppy seed filling with egg yolks and semolina. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites gently.
- Prepare the Cheesecake Layer:
- Cream butter, sugar, and egg yolks. Stir in cheese and pudding mix. Gently fold in beaten egg whites.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Spread the poppy seed mixture over the cooled crust, then pour the cheesecake mixture on top.
- Bake at 180°C for about 70 minutes. Let cool in the tray.
- Decorate:
- Mix powdered sugar with enough lemon juice to make a pourable icing. Drizzle over the cooled cake and sprinkle with orange zest.
Enjoy your Traditional Poppy Seed Cheesecake, a luxurious and festive treat that’s sure to become a holiday favorite!