Ukrainian Easter Cheese (Paska) Cake

Ingredients and Weight:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup (120ml) sour cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (120g) dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, cherries), chopped

Preparation Time:

• 15 minutes

Cooking Time:

• 45-50 minutes

Difficulty Level:

• 2 (Simple)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch bundt pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, and mix until just combined.
6. Fold in the chopped dried fruit.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 350
• Total Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Cholesterol: 100mg
• Sodium: 200mg
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Protein: 10g

Dish Characteristics:

• Rich and moist cake
• Sweet and tangy with a hint of vanilla
• Studded with colorful dried fruit
• Perfect for Easter celebrations or any special occasion

User Comments:

• "This paska cake was a hit with my family! It's so delicious and easy to make." - Maria, Ohio
• "I love the sweetness and tanginess of this cake. It's a wonderful alternative to traditional Easter breads." - Susan, California
• "This paska cake is so beautiful and festive. It was the perfect centerpiece for our Easter table." - John, New York

Special Precautions and Tips:

• For a richer flavor, use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar.
• To prevent the cake from sticking, make sure to grease and flour the pan thoroughly.
• If you don't have a bundt pan, you can bake the cake in a loaf pan or individual muffin tins.
• Let the cake cool completely before serving to prevent it from breaking.