Traditional Easter Cake as Made in Bocnița, Crafted by Mrs. Daniela Atasiei

A ritualistic scenario of renewing the world as we know it or as we are not meant to know it, Easter brings together the sacredness that begins with Palm Sunday and sways towards the culmination on St. Thomas’ Sunday. During this time of piety, it is customary to place the finest dishes on the table, dishes that have been consecrated on the mystical night of the Resurrection. A staple on the festive table, alongside painted eggs, cozonac (sweet bread), fresh greens, and roasted lamb, is the Easter cake. A ritualistic sweet delight, the Easter cake delights all the participants at the end of the meal who have indulged in this flavorful treat. Fragrant, aromatic, and especially filled with plenty of cheese, the Easter cake, along with wine, symbolizes the sacrifice of Christ. The Easter cake must always be adorned with the sacred sign of the cross; otherwise, it cannot be considered true Easter cake.

We find ourselves in the village of Bocnița, in the commune of Sinești, at the home of the Atasiei family. The pillars of the family, the proud pillars of the house, welcome us with open hearts and joy that is evident as soon as we entered the gate – the birth of a new family member. Mrs. Daniela shares with us a traditional Easter cake recipe, a recipe that has been passed down in her family for over six generations. To prepare the dough, mix 500 grams of high-quality wheat flour, 3 large eggs, a tablespoon of oil, a heaping tablespoon of sugar, a pinch of salt, and 35 grams of fresh yeast dissolved in a glass of warm milk. Let the dough rise. For the filling, combine 250 grams of cottage cheese, 250 grams of salty sheep cheese, raisins soaked in rum, a heaping tablespoon of sugar, grated lemon zest, and two eggs to bind everything together. Prepare a round baking tray, greased with butter. Place the dough on the bottom and spread it evenly. On top, add the cheese mixture, and form the edges of the cake and the cross in the center with dough balls. Let it rise, then brush with beaten egg and bake in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius for one hour. May the holidays be filled with light, and may the guidance of goodness find us all, gathered around the festive table. May Easter bring peace to us all!

Ingredients:

Dough:

– 500 grams of high-quality wheat flour

– 3 large eggs

– 1 tablespoon of oil

– 1 heaping tablespoon of sugar

– 35 grams of fresh yeast

– A pinch of salt

– 250 ml warm milk

Filling:

– 250 grams of cottage cheese

– 250 grams of salty sheep cheese

– Raisins soaked in rum

– 1 heaping tablespoon of sugar

– Lemon zest to taste

– 2 eggs

Instructions:

1. Mix 500 grams of high-quality wheat flour, 3 large eggs, 1 tablespoon of oil, 1 heaping tablespoon of sugar, a pinch of salt, and 35 grams of fresh yeast dissolved in 250 ml of warm milk to prepare the dough. Allow the dough to rise.
2. For the filling, combine 250 grams of cottage cheese, 250 grams of salty sheep cheese, raisins soaked in rum, 1 heaping tablespoon of sugar, grated lemon zest, and 2 eggs to bind everything together.
3. Prepare a round baking tray, greased with butter. Place the dough on the bottom and spread it evenly.
4. Add the cheese mixture on top, and form the edges of the cake and the cross in the center with dough balls.
5. Let it rise, then brush with beaten egg.
6. Bake in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius for one hour.

Enjoy!