Lithuanian Farmer Cheese Cake Recipe (Draugystės Pyragas)
Let's talk about Draugystės Pyragas, a true Lithuanian gem that's all about bringing people together. This Farmer's Cheese Cake is a go-to for special occasions, but don't let that fool you—it's whipped up with some pretty simple ingredients. Imagine the magic of creamy farmer's cheese meeting the sweetness of your favorite flavors, all wrapped up in a cake that screams 'let's celebrate.' Whether it's a big family gathering or just because, this cake is all about sharing the love, bite by delicious bite.
Equipment
- 24x24cm (9.5in) baking tray
- Baking Parchment Paper
- Electric Handheld Mixer
- Rolling Pin
- Pastry brush
Ingredients
- 150 g (5.3 oz) unsalted butter softened
- 100 g (½ cup) white sugar
- 1 egg large
- 1.5 tablespoon sour cream
- 300 g (2¼ cup + 2 tbsp) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- a pinch of salt
For Farmer Cheese Cake Filling
- 300 g (10.5 oz) farmer cheese full- or half-hat
- 50 g (¼ cup) white sugar
- 2 eggs large
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 egg whites
- 180 g (⅔ cup) jam or fruit preserve blueberry, cherry or plum are best
For Egg Wash
- 1 egg yolk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180 C. Line a 24x24cm baking tray with parchment paper.
Pastry:
- In a large mixing bowl, add the softened butter and sugar. Using a handheld electric mixer, mix until soft and fluffy. Add the egg and beat again until incorporated. Then add the sour cream and mix until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour with baking powder and a pinch of salt.
- Add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture and briefly need to form a ball of dough (do not overwork the dough).
- Divide the dough into into two parts: ⅓ and ⅔ of the dough. Flatten and warp the smaller piece in a sheet f plastoc wrap and place it in the fridge.
- Press the larger dough ball into the prepared baking tray, making an even base for the cake. Prick the base with a fork and plave it in the oven for 15 minutes. Once baked, let it cool down a little at room temperature.
Filling:
- In the meantime, make the farmer cheese filling. Add the farmer cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla and flour into a large bowl, and beat it with a handheld electric mixer until the micture is smooth and cohesive (it may take 3-5 minutes. Paruoškite įdarą.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg white to still peaks. Then fold the egg whites into the faremr cheese mixture gently, aiming keep the mixture light and airy.
Assemble & Bake:
- Spread the jam all over the baked pastry base. Then spread the farmer cheese mixture on top.
- Roll the remaining pastry to the shape of your baking tray, and gently cover the farmer cheese filling with it, tucking the edges in gently.
- Brush the beaten egg yolk on top of the pastry, and using a fork, draw the lines to decorate the top (see photos in the text above).
- Bake the farmer cheese cake for 40 minutes. It should feel firm and the top should be folden brown.
- Take the cake out of the oven and leave it to cook down in the tin. Once cooled, sice it into portions, and serve.