Description
This delightful Farmers Cheese Chocolate Cake combines a rich chocolate dough base with a creamy, tangy farmers cheese filling. The cake features a cocoa-infused crust with a smooth, sweetened cheese center that is light and luscious. Lemon zest adds a subtle bright note, balancing the richness, resulting in a sophisticated dessert perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 3/4 sticks butter (14 Tbsp), softened
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 1/2 Tbsp milk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 Tbsp baking soda
Filling
- 1.5 lb farmers cheese
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 leftover egg white
- 1 1/2 Tbsp potato starch or corn starch
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional but recommended)
Topping
- 3/4 stick butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 Tbsp water
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a mixing bowl, cream together the 1 3/4 sticks of softened butter and egg yolk. Gradually add milk while mixing. In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda. Combine the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and knead gently to form a smooth chocolate dough. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up.
- Make the filling: In a large bowl, blend the farmers cheese with sugar until smooth. Add the three whole eggs plus one egg white, then mix in the potato or corn starch and lemon zest until well combined and creamy. Ensure there are no lumps for a silky texture in the filling.
- Assemble and bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the chilled dough and line a greased cake pan with it, leaving some dough to form a border. Pour the cheese filling evenly over the dough base. Bake for approximately 35 minutes until the filling is set and the crust is cooked through.
- Prepare the topping: While the cake bakes, prepare the cocoa topping by melting the 3/4 stick of butter with sugar, cocoa powder, and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until smooth and syrupy, then let it cool slightly.
- Finish the cake: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Drizzle the prepared cocoa topping evenly over the top of the warm cake. Let the cake cool completely before slicing to allow the topping to set and flavors to meld.
Notes
- The lemon zest in the filling is highly recommended by many readers for a bright flavor contrast.
- Potato starch or corn starch can be used interchangeably as a thickener for the filling.
- Ensure the dough is chilled before rolling to make handling easier and to achieve a tender crust.
- Allow the cake to cool fully to let the filling set, which makes slicing cleaner.
