Polish King’s Cheesecake Sernik (Print-Friendly Version)
Rich Polish cheesecake with twaróg cheese and cocoa crust—ideal for festive family gatherings.
# What You’ll Need to Make This:
→ Cocoa Crust
01 -
250 g all-purpose flour
02 -
60 g Dutch-processed cocoa powder
03 -
225 g unsalted butter, cold and cubed
04 -
100 g granulated sugar
05 -
1 egg yolk
→ Cheesecake Filling
06 -
450 g twaróg cheese (or farmer’s cheese)
07 -
150 g granulated sugar
08 -
4 large eggs, separated
09 -
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
10 -
Zest of 1 orange (optional)
# How to Prepare:
01 -
Combine flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and cold butter in a food processor. Pulse until a crumbly texture forms. Add the egg yolk and process until the dough comes together.
02 -
Transfer the dough to a bowl, cover, and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
03 -
Preheat the oven to 175°C and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
04 -
In a mixing bowl, beat twaróg, sugar, egg yolks, and vanilla extract until smooth. Separately, whisk egg whites to soft peaks, then gently fold them into the cheese mixture. Add orange zest if using.
05 -
Divide the dough into two portions, one slightly larger. Press the larger portion evenly into the base of the prepared pan to form the bottom crust.
06 -
Pour the cheese filling over the crust. Crumble the remaining dough evenly over the top as a chocolate layer.
07 -
Bake on the center rack for 45 to 50 minutes until the top is set and the filling does not jiggle.
08 -
Remove from the oven and allow the cheesecake to cool completely in the pan before slicing.
# Extra Tips:
01 -
Twaróg can be replaced with a combination of ricotta and cream cheese for similar texture and flavor.
02 -
Adding orange zest imparts a bright citrus aroma to the filling.