Classic Russian Plucked Cake for Little Bakers

Fun Baking for the Whole Family

Baking together is a wonderful experience for the whole family. This classic plucked cake with its mild quark filling is perfect for little helpers to join in. Kneading the chocolate dough and tearing off the little spots playfully supports fine motor skills.

Ingredients

For a small springform pan (18 cm diameter, approx. 2 to 3 portions):

For the dough:

• 100 g wheat flour (all-purpose, organic if possible)
• 10 g unsweetened cocoa powder
• 30 g fine sugar
• 50 g cold butter in small pieces
• 1 small egg
• 1/2 tsp baking powder

For the filling:

• 250 g low-fat quark (or a thick Greek yogurt alternative)
• 1 egg
• 40 g sugar
• 30 g soft butter
• 15 g cornstarch
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (top and bottom heat). Lightly grease the small springform pan.
2. For the dough, quickly knead the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, cold butter, and the small egg in a bowl until a smooth mass forms.
3. Press about two-thirds of the chocolate dough onto the bottom of the pan. Pull up a small edge of about two centimeters.
4. For the filling, stir the quark, the second egg, the sugar, the soft butter, the cornstarch, and the vanilla extract until smooth. Pour the creamy mixture onto the dough base.
5. Pluck the remaining chocolate dough into small pieces. Your child can now distribute these chocolate spots over the light quark mixture.
6. Bake the cake for about 35 to 40 minutes until the filling is set.
7. Let the cake cool completely. Always check the temperature before eating so no one gets burned.

Variations & Tips

• The wheat flour can easily be replaced with light spelt flour.
• For a fruity touch, you can fold a few raspberries or drained mandarin oranges into the quark mixture.
• Covered, the cake keeps well in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
• Leftover slices freeze beautifully. After thawing, they taste almost freshly baked.

Allergy & Safety Information

• This recipe contains the allergens wheat (gluten), egg, and milk.
• Always introduce new ingredients one at a time and in small amounts to easily observe any potential reactions.
• Make sure your child does not snack on the raw dough, as it contains raw egg.
• If you have any uncertainties about introducing solid foods or potential allergies, please consult your pediatrician.

Nutritional Information

The quark provides valuable calcium and protein, which are important for bone growth at this age. The unsweetened cocoa also contains small amounts of iron. Since the cake contains sugar, it is wonderfully suited as an occasional treat for cozy family afternoons.