Chhena Poda-inspired Shaanxi-style Sweet Cheese Cake

Ingredients

In this adaptation, the traditional Indian dessert Chhena Poda is transformed into a Shaanxi-style sweet cheese cake. The original recipe uses Indian cottage cheese (chhena) as the main ingredient, while the adaptation incorporates fresh cheese curds. Additionally, the Shaanxi-style version introduces caramelized sugar to add a subtle sweetness and a golden hue to the cake. The baking process is also modified to achieve a slightly crispy exterior, which is a departure from the original's soft texture. We alse have the original recipe for Chhena poda, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) fresh cheese curds 500g (1.1 lb) fresh cheese curds
• 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg powder 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter) 4 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 tablespoon semolina 1 tablespoon semolina
• 1 tablespoon chopped pistachios (for garnish) 1 tablespoon chopped pistachios (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 25g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, crumble the fresh cheese curds until smooth.
3. 3.
   Add the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, cardamom powder, nutmeg powder, salt, ghee, and semolina to the bowl. Mix well until all the ingredients are combined.
4. 4.
   Grease a round cake pan with ghee and pour the mixture into it.
5. 5.
   Smooth the surface of the mixture and sprinkle the chopped pistachios on top for garnish.
6. 6.
   Place the cake pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown.
7. 7.
   Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely.
8. 8.
   Once cooled, carefully remove the cake from the pan and slice it into desired portions.
9. 9.
   Serve the Shaanxi-style Sweet Cheese Cake as a delightful dessert or snack.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cheese curds — Ensure that the cheese curds are fresh and of high quality to achieve the desired texture of the cake.
• Ghee — If ghee is not available, you can substitute it with melted unsalted butter.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can add a teaspoon of rose water or saffron strands to the cake batter.
• To enhance the presentation, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar before serving.
• Serve the Shaanxi-style Sweet Cheese Cake warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast of temperatures.

Serving advice

Serve the Shaanxi-style Sweet Cheese Cake as a dessert or a sweet snack. It can be enjoyed on its own or paired with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

Presentation advice

Present the Shaanxi-style Sweet Cheese Cake on a decorative cake stand or plate. Garnish it with additional chopped pistachios and a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant touch.