The secret ingredient that takes Viennese cheesecake to the next level

Cheesecake is undoubtedly one of the most popular cakes, appreciated both in Poland and around the world. There are countless variations of this bake—from the classic baked cheesecake to delicate no-bake cheesecakes with fruit or chocolate. However, did you know that adding one simple ingredient can completely change your approach to this classic dessert? The secret that makes your Viennese cheesecake even fluffier and more delicate is powdered milk—a staple ingredient during the times of the Polish People's Republic.

Powdered milk is an ingredient that, for many years, was mainly associated with infant formula production. However, it can serve many other functions in the kitchen. In the case of Viennese cheesecake, powdered milk is responsible for its exceptional fluffiness and delicacy. It makes the cheese mixture more cohesive; after baking, the cheesecake retains its moisture for longer.

Now that you know the secret to the perfect consistency of Viennese cheesecake, it’s time to move on to the recipe. Making this cheesecake doesn't require special skills, just a few ingredients and patience. Here’s a tried and tested recipe for this exceptional dessert, which will surely become a hit in your home.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg of curd cheese cheese
• 350 ml of milk
• 5 eggs
• 200 g of sugar
• 1 packet of vanilla sugar
• 3 tablespoons of potato starch
• 175 ml of oil
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 350 ml of powdered milk
• 1 large packet of tea biscuits

Preparation:

1. Prepare the cheese mixture: Start by separating the egg yolks from the whites. Beat the yolks with sugar and vanilla sugar into a fluffy, light mixture. Add the curd cheese, oil, and potato starch to this mixture. Mix everything thoroughly at a low speed to ensure the mixture is smooth and uniform.
2. Whip the egg whites: In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff. Once ready, gently fold them into the cheese mixture, carefully retaining the fluffiness.
3. Adding the milk: Gradually add the milk and powdered milk to the mixture while continuously stirring. This will help you achieve the perfect consistency for the cheesecake.
4. Prepare the baking pan: Layer tea biscuits on the bottom of a 25x35 cm pan. Then, spread the prepared cheese mixture evenly over them.
5. Baking: Bake the cheesecake in an oven to 180°C for about 60 minutes. After baking, don't remove the cheesecake immediately—it's best to leave it in the partly open oven to cool gradually.
6. Decorating: Once the cheesecake has cooled, you can decorate it with a topping made from cocoa, sugar, and butter. After the topping hardens, the cake can be sliced and served.

The basic recipe for Viennese cheesecake with powdered milk can be modified according to your preferences. You can add fruits, chocolate, nuts, or other favourite ingredients.