{"id":"sernik_d3a557292a","slug":"sernik-polish-cheesecake","title":"Sernik (Polish Cheesecake)","description":"A classic Eastern European cheesecake made with twaróg (farmer's cheese), featuring a dense, velvety texture and a rich, creamy flavor profile characteristic of traditional Polish baking.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":60,"totalMinutes":80,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 kg Farmer's cheese (Twaróg), ground","name":"Farmer's cheese","quantity":1,"unit":"kg","usQuantity":2.2,"usUnit":"lb","form":"ground","notes":"Twaróg, full-fat","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"6 large eggs, separated","name":"Egg","quantity":6,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":6,"usUnit":"piece","form":"separated","notes":"large","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"200 g granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"100 g unsalted butter, softened","name":"Butter","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"softened","notes":"unsalted","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 tsp vanilla extract","name":"Vanilla Extract","quantity":5,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"40 g potato starch or cornstarch","name":"Potato Starch","quantity":40,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/3","usUnit":"cup","form":"powder","notes":"potato starch preferred","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 pinch of salt","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"fine","notes":"to taste","group":"Main","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Preheat the oven to 170°C (338°F). Grease a 9-inch (23cm) springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.","group":"Preparation","title":"Preheat the oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition.","group":"Cheesecake Mix","title":"In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cheesecake Mix"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Gradually add the ground farmer's cheese, vanilla extract, and starch. Mix on low speed until the mixture is uniform and smooth.","group":"Cheesecake Mix","title":"Gradually add the ground farmer's cheese, vanilla extract, and starch","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cheesecake Mix"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"In a separate clean bowl, whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form.","group":"Egg Whites","title":"Whisk the egg whites","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Egg Whites"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Gently fold the egg whites into the cheese mixture using a spatula, being careful not to deflate the volume.","group":"Final Assembly","title":"Gently fold the egg whites","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Final Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 60 minutes. If the top browns too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.","group":"Baking","title":"Pour the batter into the prepared pan","timerMinutes":60,"sourceTitle":"Baking"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake inside with the door slightly ajar for at least 1 hour before removing to cool completely at room temperature.","group":"Cooling","title":"Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake inside","timerMinutes":60,"sourceTitle":"Cooling"}],"notes":"For the best results, use full-fat twaróg and ensure it is ground or blended until completely smooth. Cooling the cheesecake slowly in the oven with the door slightly ajar prevents cracking.","cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Polish"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["bake"],"equipment":["9-inch springform pan","electric hand mixer","large mixing bowls","spatula","parchment paper"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["milk","eggs"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":1,"unit":"cake","note":"9-inch round cake"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Sernik tastes better the next day. Prepare it a day in advance and chill in the fridge."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in the refrigerator covered with foil or in an airtight container.","reheatingNotes":"Serve chilled or at room temperature. Do not microwave."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fsernik_d3a557292a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=fc9bf47b-5c97-41fe-a8d8-c5d4d1d1669b","imageAlt":"Sernik (Polish Cheesecake) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["cheesecake","polish","twarog","baking","traditional"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Sernik (Polish Cheesecake)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T05:34:41.862Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T05:34:41.862Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_a5ad8ae0d0","slug":"kysil","title":"Kysil","description":"A traditional Ukrainian fruit drink thickened with starch, offering a smooth, velvety texture and vibrant berry flavor.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["dessert","sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_a5ad8ae0d0%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d0b37907-2b48-4d5c-9e4c-f8c226144ba1","imageAlt":"Kysil — recipe cover","tags":["kysil","fruit drink","berry dessert","ukrainian recipe","gluten-free drink"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":5},{"id":"palacinke_aafe8b93f5","slug":"palacinke-eastern-european-crepes","title":"Palačinke (Eastern European Crepes)","description":"Thin, delicate, and versatile Eastern European crepes that can be served sweet with jam or savory with cheese. Unlike American pancakes, these are much thinner and larger, perfect for rolling or folding.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Balkan","Central European"]},"course":["main","dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fpalacinke_aafe8b93f5%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ac5688a7-9fa8-4211-9d8f-90610bdd5007","imageAlt":"Palačinke (Eastern European Crepes) — recipe cover","tags":["crepes","pancakes","breakfast","thin pancakes","european food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":7},{"id":"recipe_c63e34da8a","slug":"baklava","title":"Baklava","description":"A rich, indulgent Eastern European dessert featuring layers of crisp, buttery filo pastry, a spiced walnut filling, and a luscious honey-lemon syrup.","serves":24,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":60,"totalMinutes":90,"activeMinutes":45},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Balkan"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_c63e34da8a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=8f3b0d6b-0a3b-433e-a4f1-6cdeb23e3115","imageAlt":"Baklava — recipe cover","tags":["honey","nuts","pastry","sweet","layered"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":8}]}