#holiday

Sernik

Poland's beloved cheesecake — denser, less sweet and more delicate than the American kind, made with twaróg, the fresh Polish curd cheese, rather than cream cheese. Ground smooth and enriched with egg yolks, sugar and vanilla (and often lemon zest and raisins), the filling bakes on a buttery shortcrust base into a tender, slightly tangy, custardy cake. Sernik is a staple of Polish home baking and the holiday table — every grandmother has her version — and its clean, milky flavour sets it apart from heavier cheesecakes.