Pascha Recipes
Simaya Pashka (Easter Cheese Cake)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds dry unsalted cottage cheese
- 1 pound sweet butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups whipped cream
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds (optional)
- 1/2 cup glazed fruit, chopped fine (optional)
Instructions
- Put cheese through a fine food chopper or sieve at least 2 times and set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar until almost white.
- Add egg yolks and continue creaming.
- Add vanilla extract. When this mixture is thoroughly blended, add the cheese and mix well.
- Add the whipped cream.
- Additions of almonds and fruit are optional and added last.
- Put the mixture in a cheesecloth lined clay flowerpot, colander or paskha mold. Put a heavy weight on the top to help press out the excess moisture.
- Put container on wire rack so that the cheese will not sit in the drained liquid. Let drain for at least 24 hours.
- Chill thoroughly.
- Unmold and remove cheesecloth before serving.
- Decorate with bits of candied fruit.
Notes
This freezes beautifully.