Polish · dessert
Sernik (Polish Cheesecake)
Sernik (Polish Cheesecake) reads sweetness 4.7, citrus 4.3 and fruity 3.7 on Palate's 0–10 flavor X-ray — a Polish dessert, about 35 min. Measured from the recipe itself: ingredients and technique.
The flavor X-ray — six axes, 0–10
- Umami & Savory — 2.4 / 10
- Sweet & Fruity — 5.8 / 10
- Sour & Bright — 5.1 / 10
- Bitter & Earthy — 0.6 / 10
- Rich & Fat — 3.5 / 10
- Aromatic & Spice — 3.4 / 10
The measured notes (of 18)
Sweetness 4.7 · Citrus 4.3 · Fruity 3.7 · Floral 3.3 · Richness 3.2 · Sourness 2.7 · Funk & Ferment 2.3 · Nutty 0.9 · Herbaceous 0.9 · Umami 0.8 · Earthy 0.5
What's in it (10)
- 2 lbs twaróg, pressed and dry
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 4 eggs, separated
- 4 tbsp butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp semolina
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 shortcrust pastry base (9-inch)
- 1/4 cup sour cream glaze (optional)
Time & effort: about 35 min · effort: medium
Nutrition (per 100 g, engine-estimated): 133.3 kcal, 2.7 g protein, 6.2 g fat, 17.2 g carbs
Dietary: Vegetarian · Contains dairy · Contains egg — engine-derived; double-check anything allergy-critical.
How it's cooked (4 steps)
- Press the cheese through a sieve for a smooth texture, then beat with sugar, butter, egg yolks, semolina, vanilla, and lemon zest.
- Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites for lightness, then stir in raisins.
- Pour over a thin pastry base in a lined tin and bake at 160°C for 60 to 70 minutes until the centre is barely set.
- Allow to cool completely in the oven with the door ajar to prevent cracking.
Dishes with a similar flavor shape
- Danish Apple Cake (Æblekage) — Scandinavian
- Papanași (Fried Curd Doughnuts with Sour Cream and Bilberry Jam) — Romanian
- Ethiopian Spris (Layered Fruit Smoothie) — Ethiopian
- Galaktoboureko — Greek
- Lokshen Kugel (Sweet Noodle Pudding with Curd and Cinnamon) — Ashkenazi
Keep reading: what sweetness, citrus, fruity mean in the flavor lexicon · the world's cuisines, by flavor.
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Every number above is Palate's engine-measured estimate, computed from this recipe's ingredients and techniques — not human-tasted ratings or reviews.