German Cheesecake Recipe & Homemade Quark Recipe – Oma's Käsekuchen (2024)

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German Cheesecake Recipe & Homemade Quark Recipe – Oma's Käsekuchen (1)

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

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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!

German Cheesecake Recipe & Homemade Quark Recipe – Oma's Käsekuchen (4)

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.

Go to recipe >

> 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 herSpecial Occasion German Cakes & Tortes e-Cookbook.

German Cheesecake Recipe & Homemade Quark Recipe – Oma's Käsekuchen (6)

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:

  • Oma's German Blitz Torte Recipe
  • Mutti's Hazelnut Torte Recipe
  • Authentic Black Forest Cake Recipe
  • Oma's German Apple Cake Recipe
  • Oma's German Cream Roll Recipe

Ready to bake this German Käsekuchen?

Is the recipe below locked?Here'swhy.

German Cheesecake Recipe & Homemade Quark Recipe – Oma's Käsekuchen (8)

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

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German Cheesecake Recipe & Homemade Quark Recipe – Oma's Käsekuchen (13)

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German Cheesecake Recipe & Homemade Quark Recipe – Oma's Käsekuchen (20)

German Cheesecake Recipe & Homemade Quark Recipe

By Oma Gerhild Fulson
German Cheesecake Recipe & Homemade Quark Recipe – Oma's Käsekuchen (21)
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)

Top of German Cheesecake Recipe

German Cheesecake Recipe & Homemade Quark Recipe – Oma's Käsekuchen (2024)

FAQs

What is the ingredient quark? ›

Quark is a dairy product made by warming soured milk until it curdles, then straining it. The finished product is firm, creamy, and looks a bit like cottage cheese. Quark is somewhat similar to the French fromage blanc, a soft white cheese made from milk and cream.

Why does German cheesecake taste different? ›

German cheesecake is made with quark, has a more fluffy texture, and is less sweet than American cheesecake which is made with cream cheese, has a smoother texture, and is sweeter. The crust for German version is usually made from shortbread dough, while American version typically has a graham cracker crust.

What is a substitute for quark cheese in baking? ›

So what are the best quark substitutes? Cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, ricotta cheese, Greek yogurt culture, mascarpone cheese, and crème fraîche are all good alternatives to quark cheese, though you really owe it to yourself to try making this fantastic cheese yourself to find its own unique cheese voice!

What is the difference between German and New York cheesecake? ›

The cheesecake filling is also a bit lighter than American cheesecake due to Germans using lowfat quark compared to Americans using cream cheese. By using quark, you end up with a creamy and airy consistency, which I so so love!

What is quark called in the USA? ›

Quark is traditional in the cuisines of Baltic, Germanic and Slavic-speaking countries as well as amongst Ashkenazi Jews and various Turkic peoples. Dictionaries sometimes translate it as curd cheese, cottage cheese, farmer cheese or junket.

What supermarket sells quark? ›

Quark, Soft Cream & Cottage Cheese | Waitrose & Partners.

What is the difference between Japanese cheesecake and German cheesecake? ›

Interestingly, Japanese cheesecake shares some properties with German cheesecake, which also uses whipped egg whites in the batter. It's much fluffier though, and tastes more like American cheesecake, since it uses our favorite cream cheese.

Why does German chocolate cake taste different? ›

Although German chocolate cake and classic chocolate cake share a chocolatey foundation, it's the choice of chocolate and the coconut-pecan frosting that set the German version apart.

What is German cheesecake made of? ›

German cheesecake is made with Quark cheese, whereas a typical cheesecake you'd find in the US (like New York cheesecake) is made with cream cheese. Quark is healthier and has more protein than cream cheese, but it's hard to find outside of Europe. You can use full-fat Greek yogurt or pureed cottage cheese instead.

What is another name for quark cheese? ›

Quark is a type of fresh cheese, also known as tvorog (from the Russian творог), topfen (from the Austrian name), biezpiens (from Latvian), and varškė (from Lithuanian). It is made by warming soured milk until the desired degree of denaturation of milk proteins is met, and then strained.

Does Aldi sell quark cheese? ›

Emporium Plain Quark Spoonable Soft Cheese 250g | ALDI.

Can I use quark instead of whipping cream? ›

Quark's supple, creamy texture and delicate flavour make it a splendid substitute for thick cream, crème fraiche, sour cream, Greek yogurt, or other dairy staples. This subtle, yogurt-like flavour, neither sweet nor sour, gives it the versatility to enrich sweet or savoury dishes alike.

Is sour cream or heavy cream better for cheesecake? ›

Sour cream: Most cheesecake recipes use either heavy cream or sour cream; either will do the job of softening the texture of the cheese and adding some moisture. I prefer sour cream because I like the extra hit of sour tang it adds to the cake.

What is a Biltmore cheesecake? ›

Biltmore Cheesecake, Vanilla Bean. Product details Creamy vanilla cheesecake in a golden graham crust. A legacy of taste and hospitality since 1895. Made with imported Madagascar vanilla beans.

Why is it called a London cheesecake? ›

A London cheesecake is a puff pastry dessert filled with a frangipane sponge cake and decorated in icing. It has no cheese in the recipe and its not a cake either! However it is a british dessert that was popular in the 1950s and 60s in London mainly and got its name from the people that remember it!

Is Greek yogurt and quark the same thing? ›

Dictionaries typically define quark as curd or cottage cheese, however unlike most commercial cheeses, quark contains neither rennet nor added salt. And despite a very similar texture and appearance to Greek yoghurt, quark is not a yoghurt either.

Is quark good or bad for you? ›

As we all know, low fat foods are great for keeping our health in check – a diet that features too much 'bad fat' is likely to result in a rise in cholesterol and therefore an increased risk of heart disease. Like most dairy products quark is high in calcium, the substance that helps keep our teeth and bone healthy.

Are cottage cheese and quark the same? ›

Technically a cottage cheese but closer in taste and texture to yogurt, quark is certainly Germany's, and perhaps even the world's, best kept dairy secret. This creamy, spoonable cheese can be eaten plain or in combination with granola, nuts, fruits, roasted vegetables—just about anything your taste buds fancy.

What does a quark taste like? ›

Quark tastes like a mild, fresh cheese and has a smooth, creamy texture. Its flavor and richness also vary, depending on the source of the milk and its fat content, which Gutenbrunner says ranges from 10 to 40 percent.

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