Austrian Delight: Creamy Topfentorte with a Crunchy Crust

Ingredients

• 250g (9 oz) quark cheese 250g (9 oz) quark cheese
• 100g (3.5 oz) granulated sugar 100g (3.5 oz) granulated sugar
• 3 eggs, separated 3 eggs, separated
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon
• 50g (1.8 oz) all-purpose flour 50g (1.8 oz) all-purpose flour
• 50g (1.8 oz) unsalted butter, melted 50g (1.8 oz) unsalted butter, melted
• 100g (3.5 oz) crushed biscuits (such as digestive biscuits or graham crackers) 100g (3.5 oz) crushed biscuits (such as digestive biscuits or graham crackers)
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories: 280 kcal / 1170 KJ
• Fat: 15g (7g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 29g (18g sugars)
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 9-inch springform pan and set aside.
2. 2.
   In a mixing bowl, combine the quark cheese, sugar, egg yolks, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and flour. Mix until well combined and smooth.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
4. 4.
   Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the quark cheese mixture until fully incorporated.
5. 5.
   In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with the crushed biscuits until well combined.
6. 6.
   Press the biscuit mixture evenly onto the bottom of the prepared springform pan to form the crust.
7. 7.
   Pour the quark cheese filling over the crust, spreading it evenly.
8. 8.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
9. 9.
   Remove from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan.
10. 10.
    Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
11. 11.
    Before serving, dust the top of the Topfentorte with powdered sugar.
12. 12.
    Slice and serve chilled.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Quark cheese — Make sure to use a good quality quark cheese for the best results. If you can't find quark cheese, you can substitute it with a combination of cream cheese and Greek yogurt.
• Crushed biscuits — For the crust, you can use digestive biscuits or graham crackers. Crush them finely to achieve a uniform texture.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve a smooth and creamy filling, make sure the quark cheese is at room temperature before mixing it with the other ingredients.
• For a more pronounced lemon flavor, you can add a few drops of lemon juice to the filling.
• Serve the Topfentorte with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries for an extra touch of indulgence.
• If you prefer a sweeter crust, you can add a tablespoon of sugar to the biscuit mixture.
• Make sure to refrigerate the Topfentorte for at least 2 hours before serving to allow it to set properly.

Serving advice

Serve the Topfentorte chilled for the best experience. Cut it into slices and garnish with a dusting of powdered sugar. Pair it with a cup of hot coffee or tea for a delightful treat.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can decorate the top of the Topfentorte with fresh berries or a sprig of mint. Serve it on a cake stand or a decorative plate to showcase its beauty.