Polish Cheesecake - Recipe for a Cheesecake with a Lattice
Polish cheesecake is a classic Polish pastry that has enjoyed unwavering popularity on our tables for years. It is characterized by a shortcrust bottom and a decorative pastry lattice on top, under which there is a velvety, vanilla cheese mass with the addition of raisins. It is a dessert that delights with its taste and elegant appearance, ideal for holidays, celebrations or Sunday family gatherings. Traditional Polish cheesecake is the quintessence of home warmth. This cheesecake will surely appeal to every lover of sweets.
Polish cheesecake recipe
Ingredients
Shortcrust pastry
- 400 g wheat flour
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 egg
- 200 g butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Cheese mass
- 1 kg cream cheese
- 1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 200 g butter (at room temperature)
- 8 egg yolks
- 4 egg whites
- 3 tablespoons of potato flour
- 4 tablespoons of raisins
- 4 tablespoons candied orange peel
- grated orange peel
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Decoration
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
Preparation of the dough
Add salt, baking powder, vanilla extract and icing sugar to the flour, then diced cold butter. Chop the ingredients with a knife on a board or mix with a mixer attachment until fine crumbs are formed. Add the egg and egg yolks, then knead everything together to form a smooth and uniform dough. Shape the dough into a ball, wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes. The recipe is for a 20 x 30 cm baking tin.
Preparation of cheese mass
Mix cream cheese, potato flour, soft butter, sugar and egg yolks on low speed. Add vanilla extract and grated orange peel and mix well.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff and gently combine with the prepared cheese mass. Finally, add the raisins and candied orange peel, mix gently.
Rolling and baking
Line a 20 x 30 cm rectangular baking tin with baking paper. Roll out 2/3 of the dough on a floured pastry board and line the bottom of the tin with it. Roll out the remaining dough and cut out long 1 cm wide strips of dough with a knife.
Spread the cheese mass evenly over the prepared base. Lay the dough strips diagonally on top, creating a grid. Place the form in an oven preheated to 180°C and bake for about 55 minutes.
Decoration
Sprinkle the cooled cheesecake with powdered sugar and refrigerate. It tastes best the next day when the flavors have combined.
Where does the recipe for Polish cheesecake come from?
Polish Cheesecake is a classic Polish pastry that has enjoyed unwavering popularity on our tables for years. It is characterized by a shortcrust bottom and a decorative pastry lattice on top, under which there is a velvety, vanilla cheese mass with the addition of raisins. It is a dessert that delights with its taste and elegant appearance, ideal for holidays, celebrations or Sunday family gatherings. Traditional Polish Cheesecake is the quintessence of home warmth. This cheesecake will surely appeal to every lover of sweets. is one of the most classic and appreciated cakes in the Polish confectionery tradition. Its characteristic lattice of shortcrust pastry on top, cottage cheese interior and additions such as raisins, orange peel and vanilla make it a popular choice for holidays and family celebrations.
The history of cheesecake in Europe dates back to ancient times, but its Polish version began to gain popularity in the 17th and 18th centuries. In Krakow, which was one of the most important culinary centers, confectioners and housewives began to improve traditional cheesecake recipes, enriching it with characteristic additions.
The Polish cheesecake differs from other versions primarily in the presence of shortcrust pastry both on the bottom and in the form of a grid on top. Its recipe has been passed down from generation to generation for years and has become a permanent part of the canon of Polish cuisine. In the 19th century, Krakow confectioners perfected the method of its preparation, making it one of the most famous pastries of the region.
The taste of Polish cheesecake
Polish cheesecake is a cake with a unique taste and structure. Its main ingredient is cottage cheese, which gives it a delicate, creamy consistency and a slightly sour aftertaste. An important element is also the additives that emphasize its character. Raisins give sweetness and a slightly caramel aftertaste, breaking the sourness of the cheese. Orange peel enriches the cake with a citrus aroma, adding it freshness and lightness. Vanilla highlights the delicacy of the cheesecake, giving it a deep, sweet aroma.
The whole thing rests on a shortcrust base that contrasts with the velvety filling, and the characteristic shortcrust pastry lattice on top gives the cheesecake an elegant appearance. It is often served sprinkled with powdered sugar, which further emphasizes its sweetness and traditional character.
Stories about Polish cheesecake
There are several interesting stories surrounding the Krakow cheesecake. One of them says that it was a favorite dessert at the royal court in Krakow and appeared at the lavish feasts organized at Wawel. According to another legend, a Krakow confectioner had a dream in which he saw an angel decorating a cheesecake with a lattice of shortcrust pastry. After waking up, he decided to introduce this idea into his recipe, and the effect turned out to be so successful that the new version of the cheesecake became a permanent fixture in Krakow's confectioneries.
The Polish cheesecake is a baked product with deeply rooted tradition, which is still very popular. Its unique taste makes it one of the most popular desserts on holiday tables. Regardless of whether it is prepared according to old recipes or in a modern version, it remains a symbol of Krakow's confectionery art and the culinary heritage of Poland.
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