Best 4 Russian Cheesecake Recipes

PASKHA (RUSSIAN CHEESECAKE)

Steps:

• NOTE: THIS IS A SPECIAL CAKE REQUIRING A NEW LARGE FLOWER POT 7 X 7-INCHES AT A MINIMUM.
• Press the cheese through a sieve.
• Combine the cheese with the egg yolks, beating in 1 yolk at a time.
• Add the sugar and blend well.
• Heat the cream in a large saucepan until it almost boils, then add the cheese mixture and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
• Remove from the heat before it begins to boil.
• Stir in the fruits, almonds, and lemon rind.
• Cool.
• Cream together the butter and the vanilla, then stir into the cooled cheese mixture.
• Line the flower pot with several layers of moistened cheesecloth, leaving enough cloth at the top to form a flap that will cover the pot.
• Fill the pot with the cheese mixture and cover with the flap.
• Put a weight on the top and place in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
• The whey (liquid) will drip out the bottom of the pot, so be sure to place a pan under it.
• When drained, carefully unmold the cake with a knife.
• Remove the cheesecloth and smooth the sides with a hot knife.
• Prepare the sauce.
• Beat together the egg yolks, sugar, Madeira, and lemon rind in the top of a double boiler.
• Cook and continue beating until the mixture thickens.
• Stir in the lemon juice and the rum, then chill briefly.
• Pour the sauce over the cheesecake and serve.
• NOTE: This very unusual cheesecake is a traditional Russian Easter dish.
• In the old days, the custom was to decorate it with paper flowers or religious emblems and have the priest come by and bless it.
• Back then, it was made in a special pyramid-shaped form, but you can make it in an ordinary red clay flower pot.
• Visually, the effect is quite striking, and the drainage hole allows the excess whey to escape.
• To make paskha, you will need a large flower pot and some cheesecloth.
• The paskha will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks, but be sure to make it at least three days in advance.

WHITE RUSSIAN CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a skillet over low heat, combine the butter, milk and 3 Tbs sugar and stir until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved.
• Add the 2 Tbs Kahlúa and continue to heat, stirring constantly, 2 minutes.
• Pulse the cookies and nuts together in a blender or food processor to make crumbs.
• Add the butter mixture and pulse briefly to blend with the crumbs.
• Press the butter and crumb mixture evenly into a 9-inch springform pan.
• Beat the cream cheese until smooth.
• Beat in the 3/4 cup sugar, the salt and the vanilla.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.
• Stir in the 1/4 cup Kahlúa and the vodka.
• Pour into the crust, set the pan on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F 45 minutes.
• Cool 5 minutes.
• Spread the sour cream over the cheesecake, and sprinkle the coconut on top.
• Chill in the refrigerator.

WHITE RUSSIAN CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Cover outside bottom and sides of 9-inch springform pan with foil to avoid leaks. In small bowl, mix crushed graham crackers and butter. Press mixture evenly in bottom of pan. Set aside.
• In large bowl, beat cream cheese with whisk or electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add sugar, espresso, milk, liqueur, butter and vanilla; beat on low speed until smooth (do not overmix). Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until combined. Pour filling carefully into pan.
• Bake about 40 minutes or until center is just set. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 1 hour. Cover cheesecake; refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
• To make topping, melt vanilla and milk chocolate candy coatings as directed on packages. Using spoons or decorating bags, drizzle lines of candy coatings over refrigerated cheesecake. Let coating set before serving.

RUSSIAN CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F & butter a 10-inch or 11-inch springform cake pan. Remove the base of the pan from the sides & lay a piece of parchment paper over the base, then replace the sides to hold the paper in place.
• FOR THE CRUST: Use a food processor or quality blender to pulse together all the crust ingredients, forming a stiff dough.
• Roll out the dough & press it into the bottom of the cake pan, then bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven & cool.
• FOR THE CHEESECAKE: In a large mixer bowl, combine cream cheese, ricotta & 1 cup of the granulated sugar, beating with an electric mixer for 3 minutes or until the mixture is smooth.
• Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Add the juice & zest of the lemon, along with the flour, & mix well until combined.
• In another bowl & with an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until they foam, then sprinkle the remaining half cup of sugar onto the egg whites while the mixer is running. When all the sugar has been added, turn the mixer speed to high & beat the egg whites until they are thick & glossy.
• In yet another bowl, beat the cream until soft peaks form.
• Fold the beaten cream, along with the egg whites, into the cheese mixture & combine thoroughly.
• Pour the batter into the cooled crust, then (if using) sprinkle the sultanas over the batter & gently stir a few in so that they will drop below the surface.
• Bake the cheesecake for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 300 degrees F & bake for another 60 minutes. Turn off the oven heat & LEAVE THE CAKE IN THE OVEN UNDISTURBED.
• When the cheesecake has cooled, remove it from the oven & chill overnight.
• Transfer the cheesecake to a platter & gently ease the paper out from under the cake.
• Sprinkle the cheesecake with powdered sugar before serving.