Pinterest

German Cheesecake Recipe & Homemade Quark Recipe – Oma's Käsekuchen

Oma Gerhild

by: Gerhild Fulson  /  Cookbook Author, Blogger, German Oma!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Get Cooking Just Like Oma Cookbook Now

I LOVE cheesecake. Especially this traditional German cheesecake recipe, aka Käsekuchen. It's lighter in texture and fluffier than the dense New York-style American cheesecake. And it's so deliciously satisfying and easy to make.

A traditional recipe that's really easy to make? YES! It tastes just like you're back in Germany… with a little change to make it easier!

Delicious German Cheesecake goes great with fresh blackberries

The change?

Well, instead of making a Knetteig crust, I use crushed cookies, such as German Butterkekse (when available), 'cause it's easier and, I think, tastes great!!

German cheesecake vs American cheesecake

The biggest difference between a German cheese cake and American versions is that one uses Quark instead of cream cheese.

American cheesecake is made with cream cheese and has a graham cracker crust. It is a very dense, rich, and decadent cake.

A classic German cheesecake is made with Quark and has a shortcrust pastry as its base. It is light and fluffy with a wonderful tangy flavor.

Many variations of this authentic German recipe

If you search for an authentic German cheesecake recipe, you'll find that there are many variations. The one thing they all have in common is the low-fat Quark.

You'll find they usually all include vanilla flavoring, whether vanilla extract, vanilla sugar, or vanilla pudding powder. Some recipes also add lemon flavoring, whether lemon juice, lemon zest, and/or lemon peel.

They all include eggs, but some recipes call for adding the egg yolks separately from the egg whites (the egg whites are whipped and then folded into the batter), while others add the eggs in whole.

Butter is commonly used, although some recipes call for oil, or even cream cheese, instead.

Some recipes will include sour cream, heavy cream, or a combination of the two.

Some recipes use all-purpose flour, while others omit flour altogether.

All these different cheesecake recipes claim to be an authentic German recipe. I guess, perhaps, what makes them truly authentic is the use of Quark.

Speaking of Quark… what is Quark?

Quark is a type of fresh dairy product made by warming soured milk until the desired amount of curdling is achieved, and then straining it. It is traditional in the cuisines of Baltic, Germanic, and Slavic-speaking countries.

Dictionaries sometimes translate it as curd cheese, cottage cheese, farmer's cheese, or junket. But in Germany, quark and cottage cheese are considered to be different types of fresh cheese.

While Quark is technically a soft cheese, it has a texture of, and tastes more like, a thick yogurt - smooth and creamy with a mild, plain taste that's neither sweet nor sour. This is why you'll often see Greek yogurt suggested as a good substitution for Quark.

The only problem is that Quark is not yet widely available throughout North America. But thankfully, if you're unable to find it at your local grocery store or European market and deli, there are substitutions available that you can use instead. Thick Greek yogurt is the most common substitute used, but other recommendations are mascarpone cheese, ricotta cheese, and cottage cheese (blended smooth).

However, you also have the option of making your own homemade Quark (including vegan Quark!) which is very easy to do!

How to make Quark

Check out my page on making your own Quark here, or follow these quick steps below.

> Use a Yogurt Maker 

Easy way to make Quark... use a Greek yogurt maker (I use Dash Greek Yogurt Maker) and buttermilk. 12 hours 'incubation' and 6 hours draining in fridge (I did 10 hours accidentally and it was a bit thicker than normal).

You can also do it in the oven, but the yogurt maker leaves the oven available for other uses. (Quantity: 4 cups buttermilk = 1.75 cups quark) 

> Use the Oven 

Don't have a yogurt maker? Don't fret! You can still make Quark. Pour the buttermilk into a large casserole with lid. Let it sit in the oven overnight (at least 8 hours) at the lowest temperature possible, no more than 150°F.

Line a large sieve or colander with a clean cloth. Pour the "cultured" buttermilk into it and let it sit to drain in the fridge for 6 hours or so.

Grab your copy of Oma's favorites in her Special Occasion German Cakes & Tortes e-Cookbook.

Take a look at Oma’s Special Occasion Cakes & Tortes eCookbook and enjoy the traditional taste of German cuisine!

Take a peek at all Oma's eCookbooks. They make sharing your German heritage a delicious adventure!

Oma's Says:

This cake was brought to my attention by my dear Facebook friend, Anna Hanssen, who shared the recipe for Der beste Kaesekuchen der Welt. She gave me some of her adaptations and then I added my own changes. 

Thanks, Anna!

More Traditional German Cake Recipes:

Ready to bake this German Käsekuchen?

Is the recipe below locked? Here's why

Get Cooking Just Like Oma Cookbook Now

German Cheesecake Recipe – Oma's Käsekuchen

Learn how to make cheesecake, aka Käsekuchen, just like it's made in Germany. A traditional recipe that's easy to make and tastes just like you've had in Germany... with a few little changes to make it easier!

Perfect for special occasions or afternoon kaffeeklatsch.

Prep Time

25 minutes

Bake Time

60 minutes

Total Time

85 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

CRUST

  • 7 ounces butter cookies (German Butter Cookies or Mr. Christie's Social Tea Biscuits)
  • ⅓ cup butter, melted

FILLING

  • ½ cup butter, room temperature
  • 1⅛ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla sugar
  • 3½ tablespoons Bird's Custard Powder or 1 package Dr. Oetker Puddingpulver
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 cups quark 
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

INSTRUCTIONS:

CRUST

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 10-inch springform pan.
  2. Process the cookies in a food processor to the crumb stage. 
  3. Stir in the melted butter, mixing well.
  4. Put buttered crumbs into spring-form pan, pressing down firmly, and making a slightly raised edge on the sides of the pan.

FILLING

  1. In a large bowl, add the softened butter, sugar, vanilla sugar, custard powder or pudding powder, and eggs. Beat with an electric mixer (or use a stand mixer) until well mixed. 
  2. Stir in the quark and sour cream.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
  4. Fold the whipped cream into the quark mixture until well incorporated.
  5. Pour filling onto buttered crumb crust and smooth the top.
  6. Place the baking pan into the oven, placing a cookie sheet on the rack below to catch any possible overflow.
  7. Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes or until the top is nicely golden brown and the cake seems set.
  8. Turn off oven heat and open door just a little bit (I use a wooden spoon to prop open) and let the cheesecake rest as it cools off slowly.
  9. After about an hour, remove cake from the oven and place on a wire rack to finish cooling.
  10. The cake is best served (if you can wait) once it has been in the fridge for several hours or overnight.

NOTES/HINTS:

  • Serve cake dusted with powdered sugar and some fresh fruit such as apricots, peaches, mandarin oranges, or a variety of fresh berries.
  • If you can't find Quark, you can easily make it at home.
  • Don't have a food processor? Put the cookies into a Ziploc bag and roll over with a rolling pin until the cookies have become crumbs.
  • Can't get the traditional Puddingpulver (pudding mix)? I use Bird's Custard Powder, but if that's not available, just use sifted cornstarch and add twice the vanilla sugar.
  • Can't buy vanilla sugar? Make your own vanilla sugar easily here.

*  *  *  *  *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

12.22.2021 revision update

You might like these

Check out Oma's German Cake recipes right here: https://www.quick-german-recipes.com/german-cake-recipes.html

Follow Oma on Social Media:

Buy me a coffee?

Leave a comment about this recipe or ask a question?

Pop right over to my private Facebook group, the Kaffeeklatschers. You'll find thousands of German foodies, all eager to help and to talk about all things German, especially these yummy foods. 

Meet with us around Oma's table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.

Newest Recipes

  1. The Best Jagerschnitzel Sauce: Oma's Mushroom Gravy for Jägerschnitzel

    jaegerschnitzel-plated-web.jpg
    Jagerschnitzel: Rich creamy bacon & mushroom gravy over crispy breaded pork schnitzel (cutlets). HEAVENLY! A traditional German meal that's PERFECT anytime.

    Go to Recipe

  2. How to Make German Schnitzel Recipe: Oma's Classic Schweineschnitzel

    German schnitzel with asparagus 600 2020
    Discover the ultimate German schnitzel recipe with Oma's quick and easy method - perfect for any occasion! Taste the authentic flavors of Germany today.

    Go to Recipe

  3. Oma’s Favorite Finds: German-inspired items for cooking & entertaining

    Gerhild Fulson shopping
    Oma's Favorite Finds offer a range of Oma’s favorite German-inspired must-have items that make cooking and entertaining more enjoyable, yummy, and efficient.

    Go to Recipe

*  *  *  *  *


PIN to SAVE this recipe to your Pinterest board!

And let’s be friends on Pinterest!

Delicious German cheesecake goes great with fresh blackberries!

German Cheesecake Recipe & Homemade Quark Recipe

By
German Cheesecake Recipe & Homemade Quark Recipe
Learn how to make this German cheesecake recipe and this includes an easy recipe for making quark ... at home! Tastes just like you’re back in Germany in Oma’s kitchen!

Ingredients: butter cookies, butter, sugar, vanilla sugar, Bird's Custard Powder, eggs, quark, sour cream, heavy (whipping) cream,

For the full recipe, scroll up ...

Words to the Wise

"Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent -- both are detestable to the Lord."

Proverbs 17:15 (NLT)

Copyright © | Quick German Recipes (Just like Oma) | All Rights Reserved

Powered by: Make Your Knowledge Sell!

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Quick German Recipes participates in various affiliate advertising to provide a means to earn advertising fees by linking to retail websites. This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites. I will not promote products I do not own or would not buy myself. My goal is to provide you with product information and my own personal opinions or ideas.  At times, I will showcase services, programs, and products. I aim to highlight ones that you might find interesting, and if you buy future items from those companies, I may get a small share of the revenue from the sale. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own.
YOU SHOULD ALWAYS PERFORM DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE BUYING GOODS OR SERVICES ONLINE.


Quick-German-recipes.com does not sell any personal information

copyscape image