Ingredients

• 3 eggs + 1 egg (for the filling)
• 150 grams (3/4 cup) sugar
  • A pinch of salt
  • 100 ml (1/2 cup) vegetable oil
  • 70 ml (1/3 cup) milk
  • 200 grams (1 2/3 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 250 grams (1 cup) cottage cheese
  • 3 tablespoons sugar (for the filling)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Equipment

• Baking pan (22×22 cm / 9×9 inches)
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk or electric mixer
  • Sifter
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Instructions

1. Prepare the Baking Pan:
   • Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
   • Grease a 22×22 cm (9×9 inches) baking pan with a bit of vegetable oil or line it with parchment paper to prevent the cake from sticking.
   • Mix the Cake Batter:
     • • In a large mixing bowl, crack 3 eggs. Add 150 grams of sugar and a pinch of salt.
       • Using a whisk or an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar together until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy.
       • Gradually add 100 ml of vegetable oil and 70 ml of milk, continuing to mix until well combined.
     • Sift 200 grams of all-purpose flour and 1 tablespoon of baking powder into the wet mixture. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the batter light and airy.
   • Prepare the Filling:
   • In a separate bowl, combine 250 grams of cottage cheese, 3 tablespoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and 1 egg. Mix until smooth and creamy. The cornstarch will help to thicken the filling and keep it from becoming too runny during baking.
   • Assemble the Cake:
     • • Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
       • Spoon the cottage cheese filling over the batter, spreading it evenly but leaving a small border around the edges to prevent the filling from leaking out.
     • Pour the remaining cake batter over the filling, carefully spreading it to cover the filling completely.
   • Bake the Cake:
     • • Place the assembled cake in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
     • The top of the cake should be golden brown and the edges should start to pull away from the sides of the pan.
   • Cool and Serve:
     • • Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
     • Transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
     • Once cooled, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar for an elegant finish.

Cooking Tips

Nutritional Benefits

• Eggs: Provide high-quality protein, essential vitamins, and minerals such as vitamin B12 and vitamin D. Eggs also contribute to the cake’s structure and moisture.
• Cottage Cheese: A good source of protein and calcium, cottage cheese adds creaminess and nutrition to the cake.
• Milk: Provides calcium and vitamin D, which are important for bone health.

• Vegetable Oil: Contains healthy fats that provide energy and help with the absorption of vitamins.