Live from Kraków: Polish Cheesecake
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
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
Bruce
This was a fantastic experience. Marta was a brilliant hostess and teacher. We had great fun making the Pierogi. We were treated to a 4 course meal with a starter snack or herring on pumpernickel, homemade soup with sourdough rye bread and pickles, vegan, vegetarian and meat pierogi and cheesecake....
This was a fantastic experience. Marta was a brilliant hostess and teacher. We had great fun making the Pierogi. We were treated to a 4 course meal with a starter snack or herring on pumpernickel, homemade soup with sourdough rye bread and pickles, vegan, vegetarian and meat pierogi and cheesecake. We also had some home made lemon vodka. Everything was delicious.
This was truly a delightful experience and fantastic value. Highly recommend.
Michelle
Hand lots of fun filling, folding and eating pierogi in a very cozy environment with a very creative instructor: thanks Marta!
Casey
My husband and I had the best time with Marta. I am half Polish and other than my paternal Polish Grandfather, nobody in my entire family cooked. Therefore they didn’t do a very good job of passing down recipes and techniques to me who loves cooking. Our class with Marta was like cooking with my sup...
My husband and I had the best time with Marta. I am half Polish and other than my paternal Polish Grandfather, nobody in my entire family cooked. Therefore they didn’t do a very good job of passing down recipes and techniques to me who loves cooking. Our class with Marta was like cooking with my super cool Polish aunt. She filled so many gaps between myself and my heritage that I can now pass down to any kids I have and that is priceless. She is the so kind, her apartment is so welcoming, and learning from her will forever be a highlight of my life. Thank you Marta!
Cathy
Loved this family activity of our group of eight, ages from 19 to 92! Food was fantastic and her vibe is so cool and fun. We finally learned to make our oen pierogies , growing up as a child of a Polish father sadly our Babcia never taught us. Now we can do ourselves- deeply satisfying cultural cul...
Loved this family activity of our group of eight, ages from 19 to 92! Food was fantastic and her vibe is so cool and fun.
We finally learned to make our oen pierogies , growing up as a child of a Polish father sadly our Babcia never taught us. Now we can do ourselves- deeply satisfying cultural culinary skill.
Cathy
Loved this family activity of our group of eight, ages from 19 to 92! Food was fantastic and her vibe is so cool and fun. We finally learned to make our oen pierogies , growing up as a child of a Polish father sadly our Babcia never taught us. Now we can do ourselves- deeply satisfying cultural cul...
Loved this family activity of our group of eight, ages from 19 to 92! Food was fantastic and her vibe is so cool and fun.
We finally learned to make our oen pierogies , growing up as a child of a Polish father sadly our Babcia never taught us. Now we can do ourselves- deeply satisfying cultural culinary skill.
Cathy
Loved this family activity of our group of eight, ages from 19 to 92! Food was fantastic and her vibe is so cool and fun. We finally learned to make our oen pierogies , growing up as a child of a Polish father sadly our Babcia never taught us. Now we can do ourselves- deeply satisfying cultural cul...
Loved this family activity of our group of eight, ages from 19 to 92! Food was fantastic and her vibe is so cool and fun.
We finally learned to make our oen pierogies , growing up as a child of a Polish father sadly our Babcia never taught us. Now we can do ourselves- deeply satisfying cultural culinary skill.
Cathy
Loved this family activity of our group of eight, ages from 19 to 92! Food was fantastic and her vibe is so cool and fun. We finally learned to make our oen pierogies , growing up as a child of a Polish father sadly our Babcia never taught us. Now we can do ourselves- deeply satisfying cultural cul...
Loved this family activity of our group of eight, ages from 19 to 92! Food was fantastic and her vibe is so cool and fun.
We finally learned to make our oen pierogies , growing up as a child of a Polish father sadly our Babcia never taught us. Now we can do ourselves- deeply satisfying cultural culinary skill.
Kamila
The classes were excellent, the knowledge and ability to convey information were at the highest level. We had a great time and we ate delicious food! 😊
Samantha
Very enjoyable morning learning how to make pierogi with a skilled tutor. I would highly recommend.
Samantha
Very enjoyable morning learning how to make pierogi with a skilled tutor. I would highly recommend.