avg —
Chocolate-Cottage Cheese Pie 'Pillows'
Instructions
I start by preparing the chocolate dough. In a deep bowl I pour the sugar (0.5 cup) and add 4 eggs out of the 6. The remaining 2 eggs will go into the cottage cheese filling.
With a whisk or a mixer on low speed, I beat the eggs with the sugar until smooth. There is no need to beat them to a froth – it is enough for the sugar to dissolve and the mixture to become uniform.
Into the egg mixture I pour the olive oil (0.5 cup) and the milk (0.5 cup). I use olive oil specifically – sunflower oil can give the finished dessert an unpleasant smell.
I stir the liquid ingredients once more, then add 1.5 cups of flour, the dark cocoa (2 tbsp.) and the baking powder (1 tsp).
With a spoon I mix the dough thoroughly until smooth. It should turn out quite thick, with no lumps. I set it aside.
I prepare the cottage cheese filling. I transfer the cottage cheese mass (800 g) into a clean deep bowl, add the remaining 2 eggs and 1 cup of flour. If I use regular cottage cheese instead of cottage cheese mass, I first whip it in a blender or pass it through a sieve so there is no graininess.
I mix all the ingredients thoroughly with clean hands so that the flour combines evenly with the cottage cheese. The cottage cheese mass should become uniform and pliable.
I move on to assembling the pie. I line a baking dish (20×30 cm) with parchment and grease it with butter (50 g). I spread the main part of the cottage cheese mass (about 600 g) over the bottom of the dish, leaving roughly 200 g for decoration. I distribute the cottage cheese evenly over the whole dish with my hands.
On top of the cottage cheese layer I spread the chocolate dough. I carefully distribute it with a spoon so that the dough completely covers the cottage cheese in an even layer.
From the remaining cottage cheese I shape 2 long "sausages" (30 cm each) and 3 short ones (20 cm each) by hand. I lay them on the chocolate dough in a lattice pattern – this creates the characteristic "pillows" design.
I put the dish into the oven, preheated to 180°C. I bake for 40–50 minutes. During this time the chocolate dough rises between the cottage cheese strips, forming the "pillows", and the cottage cheese browns slightly.
I take the finished pie out of the oven and let it cool completely. I cut it into portions with a sharp knife along the lines of the cottage cheese lattice – this way each piece resembles a "pillow". I serve it with tea or coffee.
Tips
- 1
I use olive oil specifically rather than sunflower oil – it leaves no off-smell and makes the dough more tender. You can also use refined coconut oil.
- 2
If I take regular cottage cheese instead of cottage cheese mass, I always pass it through a sieve or whip it in a blender. Otherwise the finished pie will feel grainy.
- 3
For a richer chocolate flavour you can increase the cocoa to 3 tablespoons or add 50 g of melted dark chocolate to the dough.
- 4
I keep the finished pie in the refrigerator under cling film for up to 3 days. Before serving you can warm it slightly in the microwave for 15–20 seconds.
FAQ
Can I use low-fat cottage cheese? +
You can, but the pie will be less tender and juicy. The best result comes from cottage cheese with 5–9% fat or from cottage cheese mass. Low-fat cottage cheese can give a somewhat dry texture.
Why didn't the chocolate dough rise? +
Possible reasons: expired baking powder, an insufficiently preheated oven, or dough that is too dense (too much flour). Check the use-by date of the baking powder and follow the proportions exactly.
Can I replace the olive oil with another oil? +
Yes, refined sunflower, corn or melted butter will work. I do not recommend unrefined sunflower oil – it will give a specific smell.
Can the pie be frozen? +
Yes, the cooled finished pie can be frozen for up to 1 month, cut into portions. I defrost it at room temperature for 1–2 hours or in the microwave on the defrost setting.
Is this recipe suitable for children? +
Yes, the pie is great for a children's menu – it is not too sweet and contains wholesome cottage cheese. You can reduce the amount of cocoa if a child prefers a less chocolatey taste.
- Comment
or post as a guest
Be the first to comment.
