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
Margaux
Great moment of sharing
Flora
Great Workshop! We enjoyed cooking 3 different types of pierogi in Marta‘s inspiring Home.
Flora
Great Workshop! We enjoyed cooking 3 different types of pierogi in Marta‘s inspiring Home.
Tina
My family and I loved Marta's cooking class! It was so much and the food was delicious. Thank you so much for hosting us, Marta!
Sidney
This experience feels like attending a warm family gathering, where a cool aunt teaches you the art of making pierogi. It’s not just about cooking—it’s about connecting with a diverse group of passionate food lovers from all over the world, sharing stories, techniques, and traditions along the way.
This experience feels like attending a warm family gathering, where a cool aunt teaches you the art of making pierogi. It’s not just about cooking—it’s about connecting with a diverse group of passionate food lovers from all over the world, sharing stories, techniques, and traditions along the way.
Sidney
This experience feels like attending a warm family gathering, where a cool aunt teaches you the art of making pierogi. It’s not just about cooking—it’s about connecting with a diverse group of passionate food lovers from all over the world, sharing stories, techniques, and traditions along the way.
This experience feels like attending a warm family gathering, where a cool aunt teaches you the art of making pierogi. It’s not just about cooking—it’s about connecting with a diverse group of passionate food lovers from all over the world, sharing stories, techniques, and traditions along the way.
Rebecca
Such a wonderful class, we enjoyed learning to make pierogi and the drinks and food served with our pierogi were delicious. Marta was so patient with our children and every had a great time. I would highly recommend Marta's class!
Gigi
If you’re in Krakow, I would highly recommend booking a cooking class with Marta. She was so knowledgeable with so many different foods and you can easily tell how passionate she is in her craft. She was so much fun and welcoming, I felt right at home the moment she invited me in. The class was so m...
If you’re in Krakow, I would highly recommend booking a cooking class with Marta. She was so knowledgeable with so many different foods and you can easily tell how passionate she is in her craft. She was so much fun and welcoming, I felt right at home the moment she invited me in. The class was so much fun and one of the big highlights of my stay in Krakow. Book a session with Marta, you wont regret it!!!
Karl
A great glass with Marta - thoroughly recommend.
Great Host, conversation and food.
Henryk
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