Lithuanian Breakfast Cheesecake (Farmers Cheese Cheesecake)
One of the most popular dairy products used in Lithuanian cuisine is Varškė - more commonly known as Farmers Cheese! And there is no better way to put it to good use than make a Lithuanian Breakfast Cheesecake! Soft and fluffy, full of protein and served with a dollop of sour cream and jam, this Farmers Cheese Cheesecake (Varskes Apkepas) is a great way to start your day!
Ingredients
- 250 g farmers cheese varske, full-fat
- 1 egg large
- 40 g caster sugar
- 75 ml milk
- 1 tablespoon semolina
- 25 g butter melted, plus extra for greasing the baking dish
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180 C Fan. Grease a small baking dish with butter and scatter breadcrumbs to cover the surface.
- Warm the milk to scalding point, but do not let it boil. Add the semolina, and stir immediately until combined to prevent lumps from forming. Set it aside.
- Push the farmers cheese through a fine sieve using a dough scraper or a spaluta (see photos above in the text for clarification).
- Add an egg yolk, semolina mixture, melted cooled butter and salt and mix until combined.
- In a separate large bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat the egg white until foamy. Then add the sugar, and beat again until sugar disolves and you have medium-stiff meringue.
- Fold the egg white mixture carefully into the breakfast cheesecake mixture.
- Spoon everything into a prepared baking dish.
- Bake Farmers Cheese Cheesecake in the centre of the oven for 35-40 minutes.
- Leave the cheesecake to firm up for 5 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Serving Suggestions:
Traditionally, Lithuanians eat this Cheesecake for Breakfast or Lunch with a generous dollop of sour cream and jam on top. But if you wish, you can make a berry compote from scratch, or serve it with syrup or chocolate sauce.