Ostkaka
Swedish Cheesecake
A traditional Swedish cheesecake, particularly from the Småland region, characterized by its almond flavor and delicate, set texture. Unlike American cheesecakes, it is not baked in a crust and has a lighter, more custardy consistency.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 liters Whole Milk(Must be whole milk for best curdling results.)
- 1 teaspoon Liquid Rennet(Dilute in 2 tablespoons of cool, non-chlorinated water according to package instructions. Adjust amount based on rennet strength and brand.)
- 100 g Blanched Almonds(Finely ground or slivered almonds.)
- 3 Large Eggs(Room temperature is ideal.)
- 100 g Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract(Optional, but enhances flavor.)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt(Enhances sweetness and balances flavors.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Gently heat the milk in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat until it reaches approximately 37°C (98.6°F). Do not boil. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 2
Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the diluted rennet. Cover the pot and let it stand undisturbed for about 15-20 minutes, or until the milk has curdled into a solid mass with clear whey separating from it. The curd should be firm enough to cut cleanly.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 3
Carefully ladle the curds into a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth-lined colander set over a bowl to drain the whey. Let it drain for at least 15 minutes, gently pressing to remove excess liquid. Reserve the whey for other uses if desired.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 4
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, vanilla extract (if using), and salt until well combined and slightly frothy. Stir in the finely ground almonds.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 5
Gently fold the drained curds into the egg and almond mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the ostkaka tough.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a 20-23 cm (8-9 inch) springform pan or a similar-sized baking dish.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 7
Pour the ostkaka mixture into the prepared pan. Smooth the top gently with a spatula.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 8
Bake for 60-75 minutes, or until the ostkaka is set and lightly golden brown. The center should be firm but still have a slight wobble. A skewer inserted near the center should come out mostly clean.
⏱️ 75 minutes - 9
Let the ostkaka cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to fully set.
⏱️ Cooling: 3 hours minimum - 10
Serve chilled, often with cloudberry jam or other berry compotes, and optionally with a dollop of whipped cream.
⏱️ Serving
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For best results, use whole milk. Lower fat content may affect curdling.
- ✓Ensure your rennet is fresh and properly diluted. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
- ✓Do not overmix the curds with the egg mixture; gentle folding is key for a tender texture.
- ✓Ostkaka is traditionally served with lingonberry jam or cloudberry jam (hjortronsylt).
- ✓This is not a dense, creamy cheesecake like its American counterpart; it has a lighter, more delicate, almost custardy texture.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a tablespoon of almond extract for a more pronounced almond flavor.
- Incorporate a small amount of heavy cream into the egg mixture for a richer texture.
- For a slightly different flavor profile, use a mix of blanched and unblanched almonds.