Farmer’s Cheese Cake with Raisins (Zapekanka)

What is Zapekanka?

Zapekanka is deeply rooted within Russian culture. It emerged from the countryside, as most great recipes do. The simplicity of the ingredients not only made the cake accessible and affordable, but easily tweaked and altered. Today, there are tons of different versions of zapekanka, ranging from sweet to savory.

This rendition of zapekanka is best described as somewhere in between a baked pudding and a traditional American cheesecake. Typically served at breakfast, it’s made with a rich batter of farmer’s cheese, sour cream, and cream of wheat. This results in a luscious cake texture and a flavor profile that isn’t too sweet for the early morning hours. That being said, there’s nothing stopping you from enjoying a slice of dessert.

Strap on your apron and let’s get started.

How to Make Zapekanka

Making this farmer’s cheese cake only requires a few ingredients and a couple simple steps to make. Below, find a quick overview of the recipe before diving in:

• Make the Batter: Using a blender, combine farmer’s cheese, eggs, sugar, sour cream, cream of wheat, and baking powder until smooth. With a spatula, fold in the golden raisins.
• Bake the Zapekanka: Pour the mixture into a baking pan and spread it with a spatula to distribute it evenly. Bake until golden brown.
• Let it Cool: Let cake cool completely at room temperature and cut it into individual portions. Serve cold or warmed up with a hot cup of coffee or tea!

Tips for Making the Best Zapekanka

Below, find some tips and tricks to make the best zapekanka (aka farmer’s cheese cake).

• Blend the batter for the best texture. Use a blender to get the most melt in your mouth texture. Trying to mix the batter by hand will result in lumps and pockets of cream of wheat.
• Make or find authentic farmer’s cheese. Farmer’s cheese is the backbone of this recipe. While it may be tempting to use ricotta or cottage cheese, they simply don’t yield an authentic zapekanka.
• Let the cake cool before cutting it. Zapekanka should never be sliced straight out of the oven. Letting the cake cool to room temperature allows the cheese to harden and set for more uniform slices. If you prefer to eat it warm, simply reheat it in the microwave or oven.
• Always grease or line your baking pan. The cheesy batter is prone to sticking, so make sure you grease your baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

Serving Zapekanka Cake

Serve this farmer’s cheese cake for breakfast or dessert. You can have it plain or topped with raspberry jam, a dollop of sour cream, or whipped cream. Don’t forget to pair it with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Earthy Earl Grey with a bit of honey and half-and-half is the perfect compliment to the cheesy richness of the cake.

Storing Zapekanka

Zapekanka can be stored in the refrigerator or frozen. This farmer’s cheese cake is a perfect make-ahead cake, as the flavors continue to develop the longer it sets. Below, find some quick storage tips to keep your cake fresher for longer:

• Refrigerating: Store zapekanka in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for up to a week. Since the cake is quite delicate, avoid stacking the slices to prevent sticking.
• Freezing: Freeze zapekanka by placing the individual slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop the baking sheet into the freezer uncovered. Once frozen, transfer the slices to a freezer-safe plastic bag.

FAQ

More Farmers Cheese Recipes

• Farmer’s Cheese Doughnuts – Ultra-creamy and crispy
• Sweet Cheese Cookies – Sweet and salty cookies
• Puff Pastry Cheese Turnovers – Easy sweet cheese pastries
• Farmer’s Cheese Donut Holes – Crispy crust and fluffy inside

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Recipe

Farmers Cheese Cake with Raisins (Zapekanka)

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Servings

8 Servings

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 35 mins

Total Time 55 mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

Zapekanka is a traditional Russian cake. It's slightly sweet, packed full of plump, golden raisins, and can be served as breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 20 oz farmer's cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup cream of wheat
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 cup raisins

US Units – Metric

Instructions

• Prepare the ingredients for the recipe.
  
• Combine farmer's cheese, eggs, sugar, sour cream, cream of wheat, and baking powder in a blender. Pulse until you get a smooth texture.
  
• Fold raisins into the batter, evenly distributing them throughout.
  
• Line an 8×12 inch or 9-inch round baking pan with parchment paper or spray it generously with cooking spray. Spread the batter evenly into the pan. Bake it at 375°F for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.
  
• Let the cake cook at room temperature. Slice it into squares. Serve cold or warm slices up in the microwave or oven.
  

Nutrition Facts

Farmers Cheese Cake with Raisins (Zapekanka)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 324 Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g22%

Saturated Fat 8g40%

Cholesterol 120mg40%

Sodium 358mg15%

Potassium 388mg11%

Carbohydrates 36g12%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 13g14%

Protein 14g28%

Vitamin A 300IU6%

Vitamin C 1.2mg1%

Calcium 191mg19%

Iron 4.6mg26%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.