Easy Cheesecake – Oma's einfacher Käsekuchen
by: Gerhild Fulson / Oma Gerhild shares German recipes rooted in family tradition.
Updated on December 3, 2025
A cheesecake may not always look perfect, but it's always delicious!
This easy cheesecake recipe, aka einfacher Käsekuchen, will certainly WOW your family! They'll love the moist and delicious flavor of this German cheesecake. Most recipes for cheesecakes in a German cookbook use QUARK as the main ingredient.
Quark, unfortunately, is often not available outside of Germany. It's a type of cultured cheese, similar to cottage cheese, but different. (Check below for how to make quark at home.)
The recipe below is different. It doesn't use quark, but instead uses ricotta, your mixer, and blender. You'll find this a great way how to make a cheesecake, a German-tasting cheesecake ... the easy way!
Easier Bottom Crust?
There are three options for the crust:
- Use the recipe below in the recipe card.
- Mix together 1¼ cups graham wafer crumbs and ⅛ cup melted butter. Press into the bottom and a bit up the sides of the pan.
- Crush about 7 ounces butter cookies (Mr. Christie's Social Tea Biscuits) and mix in ⅓ cup melted butter. Press into the bottom and a bit up the sides of the pan.
For the photo below, I used #3, the graham wafer method. :)
Looking for a German Cheesecake with Quark instead?
Well, the traditional one has quark in it. Outside of Germany it is difficult to buy quark. However, it is easy to make at home. Then, you can make your cheesecake the way you're used to. Click here to learn how to make quark!
As well, making quark is actually quite inexpensive, and it's great to have for so many recipes. It just takes a bit of time to make.
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However, if you're wanting to make this cheesecake with ricotta, you'll enjoy totally enjoy it as well. You can top it with fresh strawberries or a fruit sauce. It's absolutely wunderbar!
Ready to make this easy cheesecake?
Oma's Easy Cheesecake Recipe
This easy cheesecake recipe, aka einfacher Käsekuchen, will certainly WOW your family! They'll love the moist and delicious flavor of this German cheesecake.
Instead of the traditional quark, this recipe uses ricotta, your mixer, and blender and you'll find this a great way how to make a cheesecake ... the easy way!
Prep Time:
20 minutes
Bake Time:
1 hour 10 minutes
Chill Time:
3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time:
5 hours
Servings:
Makes 10-12 slices
Ingredients:
For The Pastry (* see hints below)
- 2 cups (260 grams)
all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (114 grams)
unsalted butter,
room temperature
- ⅓ cup (67 grams)
granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
-
¼ teaspoon (1.5 grams) salt
- 1 teaspoon
(5 milliliters) vanilla extract
For The Filling:
- 2 pounds
(908 grams)
ricotta
- ¼ cup (60 grams)
sour cream
- ½ cup
(120 milliliters)
whipping cream
- ⅔ cup
(133 grams)
granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon (6 grams)
grated lemon zest
- 1½ teaspoons (8 milliliters)
vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
Instructions:
For The Pastry:
- Mix together all the pastry ingredients in your mixer. Form
the dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Place in the
fridge to chill for 30 minutes.
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 10-inch
springform pan and set aside.
-
Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface and
place in the bottom of the pan and up its sides. Prick the
dough in several places with a fork.
For The Filling:
-
Place all the filling ingredients in either a blender or food
processor (fitted with a metal chopping blade) and pulse
about 10 times. Scrape down the sides. Process a further
30 seconds until creamy.
-
Pour into the pastry shell and smooth the top.
-
Bake for about 70 minutes, or until a wooden pick
inserted about 2 inches from the edge comes out clean. To
minimize cracks, let the cake cool in the oven with the door
slightly opened.
-
When cooled, remove the ring from the springform pan.
For best flavor, place the cake in the fridge for several
hours before serving.
Hints/Tips:
* There are 3 different crusts you can make:
- Use the recipe above in the recipe card.
- Mix together 1¼ cups graham wafer crumbs and ⅛ cup melted butter. Press into the bottom and a bit up the sides of the pan.
- Crush about 7 ounces butter cookies (Mr. Christie's Social Tea Biscuits) and mix in ⅓ cup melted butter. Press into the bottom and a bit up the sides of the pan.
* * * * *
Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com
Updated on December 3, 2025
You might like these
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!
This recipe for cheesecake is called Käse-Sahne-Torte, a baked sponge cake and a no-bake whipped cream/quark or Greek yogurt filling. Add mandarin oranges for a traditional dessert.
Quark is a German favorite I use in baking, spreads, & more. Thankfully it's easy to make since I can't buy it here.
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