Live from Kraków: Polish Cheesecake

4.9
  (446 reviews)
|
Online class
|
2hr

Cheesecake has an ancient tradition. Did you know that it was fed to the athletes at the first Olympic Games in 776 BC to boost their energy for the competition? The modern cheesecake that we are most familiar with is often known as New York Cheesecake, but interestingly this style was brought to the United States in by Jewish immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe. These immigrants, who arrived in New York in the late 19th century, really popularised today's cheesecake culture. But as we know it originally came from my part of the world, Poland, I believe this is a truly traditional Cracovian cheesecake and one I'd love to teach you to bake. I love to bake cheesecake at home. It is delicious with coffee in the morning, or equally as good as a desert, when I enjoy serving it with a salty caramel sauce. The great thing is that it keeps very well in the fridge for up to a week, becoming denser and richer over time.

Our online cooking class will cover all the basics of making a successful cheesecake, but most importantly the special tips that I have learnt from making hundreds of cakes at home over the last few years. If you are interested, I will also be happy to tell you a bit about how to make your own cottage cheese at home if you prefer. I also look forward to telling you a bit about Polish culture and sharing my kitchen and home with you, and look forward to you joining me online!

Ingredients we'll be using

The Base
  • 40g casted sugar
  • 200g of flour
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 100g of cold butter cut in to small cubes
  • 40g brown sugar
Cheesecake filling
  • 1000g farmers cheese (or Philadelphia cheese)
  • 400g of white sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 500g mascarpone cheese
  • A spoonful of potato flour
  • 7 eggs and 3 yolks
  • Grated zest of 2 orange and 2 lemon
Salty caramel sauce
  • 40g butter
  • 40g double cream 36%
  • skin from vanilla stick
  • 5 drops of lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 stick of vanilla or four drops of extract

Utensils and equipment we'll be using

  • kitchen blender or mixer
  • large mixing bowl
  • bowl scraper
  • cake pan (approx 25 cm across) (the best type is a springform pan with removeable side)
  • small pot

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to prepare before the class?
You will need to buy the ingredients and make sure you have the cooking utensils required.
How can I connect to the class?
Most classes will be held over Zoom. If you haven't already installed it, you can do so at https://zoom.us/download Before the class, it's a good idea to test your internet connection to make sure the video and sound quality is optimal. You can do this at https://zoom.us/test

About Marta

For the last 5 years, I have been teaching people how to cook delicious food at my home, and I also run food workshops such as the Pierogi Power Workshop, Fermentation Workshop and more. Recently I was the host of a big food event for The Krakow Pierogi Festival and Harvest Festival. (I also appear regularly on TV and radio as a guest, discussing subjects related to home cooking, the sharing economy and food tech.) I’ve always enjoyed sharing my knowledge of my beautiful hometown, and more about the art of Polish cuisine, both through the website and with all the wonderful travellers I meet in person.

My grandmother and my mother were great cooks. That means delicious, home-made food freshly-prepared.

Restaurants are great, but sometimes it seems it would be better to enjoy a home-cooked meal with someone who can also tell me a bit more about their experiences, their lives and their cities. So, I’ve decided to do exactly that. I cook for up to 14 people at my home in Krakow and you’re invited. Please join me!

Reviews

4.9
  (446 reviews)
Craig
2 months ago
5

Absolutely amazing. Like hanging out at a friend's house if your friend was a great cook. Instructions were clear, the class was fun, and we will definitely be making pierogi at home.

Henryk
3 months ago
5

The best day ever. Marta is an amazing chef and her hospitality and passion for Polish cooking is unmatched. We were absolutely blown away with how simple Marta made it look and was able to pass on these delicious recipes for us to master. Since coming home and cooking these pierogi for our kids and...

The best day ever. Marta is an amazing chef and her hospitality and passion for Polish cooking is unmatched. We were absolutely blown away with how simple Marta made it look and was able to pass on these delicious recipes for us to master.

Since coming home and cooking these pierogi for our kids and grandkids, they also think we have made the most delicious pierogi ever.

Thank you Marta

Henryk
3 months ago
5

The best day ever. Marta is an amazing chef and her hospitality and passion for Polish cooking is unmatched. We were absolutely blown away with how simple Marta made it look and was able to pass on these delicious recipes for us to master. Since coming home and cooking these pierogi for our kids and...

The best day ever. Marta is an amazing chef and her hospitality and passion for Polish cooking is unmatched. We were absolutely blown away with how simple Marta made it look and was able to pass on these delicious recipes for us to master.

Since coming home and cooking these pierogi for our kids and grandkids, they also think we have made the most delicious pierogi ever.

Thank you Marta

Jakub
3 months ago
5

Fun, helpful and very dynamic; the food tasted amazing and it was a great experience to learn how to cook one of the most important dishes from Poland. Marta is a great teacher and takes care of everybody :)

Hannah
4 months ago
5

This experience was fantastic. Marta welcomed us into her home, she was an absolute pleasure to talk to and we successfully made/ate delicious pierogi! The challah bread and cheesecake were a lovely bonus. Our group of four strongly recommend this cooking class and cannot rate it highly enough. Than...

This experience was fantastic. Marta welcomed us into her home, she was an absolute pleasure to talk to and we successfully made/ate delicious pierogi! The challah bread and cheesecake were a lovely bonus. Our group of four strongly recommend this cooking class and cannot rate it highly enough. Thank you!

Natasha
4 months ago
5

We had such a great time! Periogis were delicious and conversation with Marta as well.

John
5 months ago
5

One of the highlights of our visit to Krackow. Marta was a wonderful host and teacher! I would definitely recommend her class to others.

John Schreiber

Westlake Village, CA

John
5 months ago
5

One of the highlights of our visit to Krackow. Marta was a wonderful host and teacher! I would definitely recommend her class to others.

John Schreiber

Westlake Village, CA

Sophia
5 months ago
5

The Pierogi Power Workshop with Marta was one of the best cooking experiences I've ever been to! Marta was extremely welcoming, very friendly and super knowledgeable when it came to the dishes we were making in her class. I'm so glad I was able to take this workshop, and I would recommend...

The Pierogi Power Workshop with Marta was one of the best cooking experiences I've ever been to! Marta was extremely welcoming, very friendly and super knowledgeable when it came to the dishes we were making in her class. I'm so glad I was able to take this workshop, and I would recommend this to anyone who is visiting Krakow!

Taj
5 months ago
5

Had an excellent time with Marta! Come hungry and reafy for a delicious meal more perogis than you can handle!

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Message Marta