Gingerbread with Quark Cheesecake

By Food & Wine

This clever recipe combines two cakes in one: gingerbread and cheesecake. The cheesecake half is light and creamy, with a pleasant tang from quark (a soft, unripened cheese that's similar to sour cream), while the gingerbread half is fragrant, moist and delicately spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.

Active: 1 HR
Total Time: 3 HR 30 MIN
Servings: 8
Time(Other): plus overnight chilling

[post_ads]Ingredients

cheesecake

• 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 12 ounces quark or Greek-style whole-milk yogurt (1 1/2 cups)
• 1 large egg
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon Cointreau or other orange brandy

gingerbread

• 1/2 cup plus 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 tablespoon unsulfured molasses
• 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Candied kumquats in syrup, sliced, for garnish

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How to make this recipe

1. Preheat the oven to 275°. Spray a 6-inch springform pan with vegetable oil spray. Wrap the outside of the pan tightly with foil and set it in a small roasting pan.
2. In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar at medium speed until smooth. Add the quark and beat just until blended. Add the egg and egg yolks, one at a time, beating well between additions. Beat in the Cointreau. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan.
3. Add enough hot water to the roasting pan to reach halfway up the side of the springform pan. Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, until the cheesecake is slightly jiggly in the center and set around the edge. Remove it from the water bath and run a knife around the edge of the cake to allow it to settle in the pan as it cools. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter and flour a 6-inch cake pan. In a small bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder, ground spices and salt. In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the brown sugar with the egg and egg yolk at medium-high speed until light and fluffy. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in the milk. Stir in the molasses, fresh ginger and vanilla. In 3 alternating additions, beat the dry and wet ingredients into the egg mixture.
5. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake in the lower third of the oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until springy. Let the cake cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then turn the cake out onto a rack. Turn it right side up and let cool completely.
6. Using a serrated knife, carefully slice the rounded top off of the gingerbread cake to make it level. Invert the cake (cut side down) onto the cheesecake. Place a plate over the cake pan. Holding both the plate and pan, invert the entire cake onto the plate. Remove the ring, then carefully lift off the pan bottom. Garnish with the candied kumquat slices and serve chilled.

Make Ahead

The finished cake can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

 

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