Munich Cheesecake

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Servings: 12 Difficulty: Advanced
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A rich, layered German dessert featuring a buttery crust, creamy cheese filling, and tangy poppy seed topping.
Munich Cheesecake recipe image
Munich Cheesecake recipe image
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Munich Cheesecake

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Advanced
Servings: 12 Calories: 697.7

Description

This traditional Munich Cheesecake is a decadent treat that balances sweet and tangy flavors in every bite. It begins with a crisp, golden pastry crust baked until firm. The heart of the dessert is a smooth, fluffy cream cheese layer infused with vanilla bean seeds, providing a luxurious texture. Topped with a distinctively German poppy seed mixture studded with plump golden raisins and bright lemon zest, it offers complex depth. The cake finishes with a quick broil under a sweet brown sugar streusel, adding a crunchy, caramelized finish. Perfect for holiday gatherings or Sunday brunch, this dessert brings authentic European comfort to your table. Serve at room temperature for the best flavor release.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350&# 194;°F (175ðC).
  2. In a mixing bowl, sift together 1 cup flour, 3 tbsp sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt.
  3. Using a pastry blender, cut in 1/2 cup cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
  4. Mix in 1 lightly beaten egg yolk with a fork until the dough holds together.
  5. Press the dough evenly over the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.
  6. Bake the pastry crust for about 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
  7. Remove from oven and set on a wire rack to cool.
  8. In a large mixing bowl, beat 12 ounces of soft cream cheese until fluffy.
  9. Scrape seeds from 1 split vanilla bean into the cheese and add 1/4 tsp salt.
  10. In a separate bowl, beat 2 eggs with 1/2 cup sugar until thick and lemon-colored.
  11. Stir the egg mixture into the cheese mixture, beating until smooth.
  12. Spread the cheesecake batter over the cooled pastry crust.
  13. Bake at 350ðF (177ðC) for 20 minutes, or until the edges begin to golden.
  14. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack.
  15. While the cake bakes, whirl 1 cup poppy seeds in a blender or food processor until reduced to a coarse powder.
  16. In a saucepan, combine the ground poppy seeds, 3/4 cup plumped golden raisins, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup milk, the grated peel of one large lemon, and seeds from 1 vanilla bean.
  17. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 20 minutes until thick but still spreadable.
  18. Let the poppy seed mixture cool thoroughly.
  19. Spread the cooled poppy seed layer over the cooled cheesecake.
  20. In a small bowl, mix 6 tbsp flour and 6 tbsp brown sugar.
  21. Cut in 1/4 cup butter with a pastry blender to make coarse crumbs.
  22. Sprinkle the streusel crumbs evenly over the poppy seed layer.
  23. Set the cheesecake under a broiler about 6 inches from the heat for 3 minutes, or until the topping is browned and crisp.
  24. Cool the cheesecake completely before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 12

Amount Per Serving
Calories 697.7kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 37.9g59%
Saturated Fat 23.4g117%
Cholesterol 97.3mg33%
Sodium 306.6mg13%
Total Carbohydrate 78.6g27%
Dietary Fiber 18.1g73%
Sugars 7.7g
Protein 13.4g27%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

The cheesecake can be chilled, but allow it to return to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.

If vanilla beans are unavailable, you can substitute with 1 tsp vanilla extract for each bean called for in the recipe.

Ensure the golden raisins are plumped (soaked in warm water for 10 minutes and drained) before adding them to the poppy seed mixture for a softer texture.

Watch the broiler closely to prevent burning the streusel topping, as oven temperatures can vary.

Keywords: cheesecake, munich, german, dessert, poppy seed, cream cheese, vanilla bean, lemon, streusel, raisins, baking, broiling, pastry crust, sweet, tangy, vegetarian, holiday, brunch
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