How to Make Homemade German Quark: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making your own German Quark at home is surprisingly simple and yields a creamy, smooth, and mildly tangy cheese that’s perfect for spreading, mixing with fruits, or using in a variety of dishes. With just a few ingredients and some patience, you can easily create this delicious homemade cheese. Here’s a complete guide on how to rehydrate and culture your mesophilic German Quark.

German Quark Guide

What You’ll Need:

• ½ tsp dehydrated mesophilic German Quark culture
• ½ cup fresh milk (whole milk works best for a creamier quark)
• A clean glass jar or container
• A lid or breathable cloth to cover the jar
• Thermometer (optional)
• 1 tablespoon of cultured quark (reserved for the next batch)
• Oven (to maintain a warm environment)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Milk

1. Start by pouring ½ cup of fresh milk into a clean glass jar or container. Whole milk will give you a richer and creamier quark, but feel free to use any milk you prefer.
2. Gently warm the milk to 80°F (27°C). You can either heat it on the stove or let it sit at room temperature. If you have a thermometer, it’s a great tool to ensure the milk is at the right temperature. If you don’t have one, just make sure the milk feels warm but not hot to the touch.

Step 2: Add the Culture

1. Sprinkle ½ tsp of the dehydrated mesophilic German Quark culture evenly over the surface of the warm milk.
2. Let the culture sit on the milk for 1-2 minutes to rehydrate. This step helps activate the culture and ensure it is fully integrated into the milk.
3. Stir gently to mix the culture into the milk, making sure it’s evenly distributed throughout the liquid.

Step 3: Culture the Quark

1. Cover the jar loosely with a lid or breathable cloth. This allows air circulation while the milk cultures, which is essential for the process.
2. Place the jar in a warm environment and allow it to culture for up to 48 hours, or until the milk has thickened and developed a creamy texture. The milk should take on a consistency similar to yogurt or custard.
   • Tip: If you want a tangier quark, let it culture for a longer period, but keep in mind that it may take up to 48 hours to reach the desired consistency.

Step 4: Warm the Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 80°F (27°C). Once it reaches the desired temperature, turn it off. The warm environment will help the quark set properly.
2. Place your jar of cultured milk into the warm oven and leave it there for 30-45 minutes. This gentle warmth will help your quark develop a rich and creamy texture.

Step 5: Chill the Quark

1. After the quark has set in the oven, remove the jar and place it in the refrigerator to chill.
2. Allow it to chill for at least 6 hours. This cooling period allows the quark to firm up and enhances its flavor. The result will be a smooth, creamy quark with a mild tangy taste.

Step 6: Save Starter for the Next Batch

1. Once your quark has chilled, set aside 1 tablespoon of the cultured quark in a separate container. This will be your starter culture for the next batch.
2. For the next batch, combine the reserved 1 tablespoon of quark with 1 cup of fresh milk and follow the same steps as before. You’ll need to use 1 tablespoon of quark for every 1 cup of milk you want to culture. Important Note on Storing the Culture:
   After your first three back-to-back batches, you can store the quark in the refrigerator between cultures. Be sure to culture your quark again within 7 days to maintain its active cultures. If you wait longer than a week, the starter may lose its potency.

Enjoying Your Homemade Quark

Once chilled, your German Quark is ready to enjoy! It has a mild, tangy flavor and a smooth, creamy texture that makes it perfect for a variety of uses. Try spreading it on bread, mixing it with fresh fruits, or using it as a substitute for cream cheese or yogurt in recipes.

Quark is incredibly versatile and can elevate both sweet and savory dishes. Whether you use it in baking, as a topping, or in your morning breakfast bowl, homemade quark is sure to be a hit!

By following these simple steps, you can easily create your own batch of homemade German Quark. It’s a fun and rewarding process that will have you enjoying fresh, creamy cheese in no time.

German Cheesecake with Quark

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Bake Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Ingredients

Crust

• 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tsp vanilla sugar (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
• 1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 6 tbsp (85g) cold butter, cubed
• 1 egg, beaten

Filling

• 3 egg yolks
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla sugar (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
• 6 tbsp (85g) softened butter
• 3/4 cup (170ml) heavy cream
• 2 cups (450g) quark (or Greek yogurt)
• 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
• 3 egg whites
• Pinch of salt

Cocoa Variation

• 3 tbsp cocoa powder (add to filling)

Strawberry Variation

• 1 cup (150g) fresh strawberries, diced (fold into filling)

Instructions

Crust

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, lemon zest, sugar, and vanilla sugar (or extract).
2. Cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add the beaten egg and mix until the dough comes together.
4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 1 hour.
5. After chilling, roll the dough out on a floured surface. Transfer to a 9-inch springform pan, pressing it evenly over the bottom and up the sides.

Filling

1. In a mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy. Add the softened butter and beat until smooth.
2. Pour in the heavy cream and quark, and beat again until fully incorporated.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form.
4. Gently fold the egg whites and sifted cornstarch into the cheesecake batter.

Cocoa Variation

• Sift 3 tbsp of cocoa powder into the filling and mix well before adding the egg whites.

Strawberry Variation

• Fold in 1 cup of diced fresh strawberries into the filling before adding the egg whites.

Baking

1. Pour the batter into the prepared crust in the springform pan.
2. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 60–70 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick comes out clean. The center may be slightly wobbly but will set as it cools.
3. Let the cheesecake cool on the counter for 1 hour, then chill in the fridge for several hours, or overnight, for the best texture.

Enjoy a taste of Germany with your delicious homemade quark cheesecake!

Here are some tasty twists you can try to add even more variety to your German cheesecake! Each variation incorporates simple ingredients to elevate the cheesecake’s flavor while keeping that classic creamy texture.

1. Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake

• Add: 1 tablespoon lemon zest and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice to the filling.
• Fold in: 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries.
• Top with: Extra lemon zest and a handful of blueberries for a vibrant finish.

2. Caramel Swirl Cheesecake

• Swirl in: 1/4 cup caramel sauce by drizzling it over the top of the filling before baking and swirling with a knife.
• Top with: More caramel sauce after baking and chilling, plus a sprinkle of sea salt for a salted caramel touch.

3. Nutella Marble Cheesecake

• Add: 1/3 cup Nutella to the filling by dropping dollops on top and swirling with a knife to create a marble effect.
• Top with: Chopped hazelnuts and a drizzle of melted chocolate or more Nutella after chilling.

4. Pistachio Rose Cheesecake

• Add: 1/4 cup ground pistachios to the crust for a nutty twist.
• Add to filling: 1 teaspoon rosewater (or to taste) and a few drops of pink food coloring if desired.
• Top with: Crushed pistachios and edible rose petals for a beautiful floral finish.

5. Espresso Cheesecake

• Add to filling: 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder dissolved in 1 tablespoon hot water, and mix into the filling for a rich coffee flavor.
• Top with: Cocoa powder dusting or chocolate-covered espresso beans for a coffee-shop vibe.

6. Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake

• Add to filling: 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg.
• Layer: Thinly sliced apples on top of the filling before baking. Sprinkle with cinnamon and a little brown sugar.
• Top with: Caramel drizzle and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a warm, autumnal treat.

7. Raspberry White Chocolate Cheesecake

• Melt: 1/2 cup white chocolate and mix into the filling.
• Swirl in: 1/4 cup raspberry jam, swirling gently with a knife for a marbled effect.
• Top with: Fresh raspberries and white chocolate shavings.

8. Matcha Cheesecake

• Add: 2 teaspoons of matcha powder to the filling for a beautiful green color and earthy flavor.
• Top with: Sifted matcha powder or whipped cream for a delightful twist on traditional cheesecake.

9. Banana Pecan Cheesecake

• Add to filling: 1 mashed ripe banana.
• Top with: Chopped pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup after chilling.
• Optional: Add a layer of sliced bananas on top of the crust before pouring in the filling.

10. Mango Coconut Cheesecake

• Add to filling: 1/2 cup coconut milk instead of heavy cream for a tropical twist.
• Swirl in: 1/4 cup mango puree.
• Top with: Toasted coconut flakes and fresh mango slices for a tropical, refreshing dessert.

Feel free to mix and match these flavors to create your own unique cheesecake masterpiece! Each variation will bring a new, delightful twist to the classic German cheesecake.

Sweet Recipes with German Quark

1. German Quark Pancakes (Quarkkäulchen)
   • Light and fluffy pancakes made by blending quark with eggs, a bit of flour, and vanilla. Perfect with fruit toppings or powdered sugar.
2. German Quark Cheesecake (Käsekuchen)
   • A lighter version of cheesecake, made with quark instead of cream cheese, for a more authentic German-style dessert.
3. German Quark Dumplings with Berry Sauce
   • Soft dumplings made by mixing quark with eggs and flour, boiled, and served with a warm berry sauce or compote.
4. German Quark and Fruit Smoothie
   • Blend quark with your favorite fruits, honey, and a splash of milk or juice for a creamy, protein-rich smoothie.
5. German Quark Fruit Tart
   • A simple tart with a quark-based filling and topped with fresh seasonal fruit, perfect for summer gatherings.
6. Quark-Stuffed Crepes
   • Thin crepes filled with a mixture of quark, honey, and vanilla, then rolled and topped with berries or a dusting of powdered sugar.
7. Quark Parfait with Granola and Honey
   • Layer quark with granola, honey, and fresh fruit in a glass for a quick and healthy breakfast parfait.
8. German Quark Muffins
   • Quark adds moisture and lightness to muffins. Try it in berry or lemon-flavored muffin recipes for a delightful twist.
9. German Bienenstich (Bee Sting Cake)
   • A yeasted cake with a creamy quark filling and a caramelized almond topping—a German classic!
10. German Quark Ice Cream
    • Blend quark with a bit of cream, sugar, and your favorite flavorings (such as vanilla or fruit purée) to make a refreshing and slightly tangy homemade ice cream.

Savory Recipes with German Quark

1. Herbed German Quark Spread (Kräuterquark)
   • Mix quark with fresh herbs, garlic, and a touch of salt for a delicious dip or spread for bread, crackers, or veggies.
2. Potato and German Quark Dip
   • A classic German pairing: serve quark mixed with chives, salt, and pepper as a topping for baked potatoes or as a dip for boiled potatoes.
3. German Quark-Stuffed Peppers
   • Fill bell peppers with a mixture of quark, spinach, herbs, and spices, then bake for a light and healthy main course.
4. Savory German Quark Tart
   • A quiche-like tart filled with quark, eggs, and your choice of vegetables or smoked salmon for a protein-packed meal.
5. German Quark Mashed Potatoes
   • Fold quark into mashed potatoes for an extra-creamy, tangy flavor.
6. German Quark Salad Dressing
   • Use quark as the base for a creamy salad dressing, adding herbs, lemon juice, and olive oil for a nutritious topping for green salads.
7. German Quark Flatbread
   • Mix quark into the dough for flatbreads to add richness and moisture. Serve with a spread of herbed quark for a double dose!
8. Spinach and Quark Stuffed Chicken Breasts
   • Make a filling with quark, spinach, and herbs, then stuff into chicken breasts for a juicy, flavorful dinner.
9. Savory Quark Pancakes with Smoked Salmon
   • Make small savory pancakes with quark, then top with smoked salmon, capers, and dill for a quick and elegant appetizer.
10. German Quark Bread (Quarkbrötchen)
    • Soft, tender rolls with quark in the dough, making them extra light and moist. Perfect for breakfast or a snack with butter and jam.

These recipes showcase quark’s versatility across different meals and flavors, from breakfast to dessert, adding creaminess, lightness, and a touch of tang!

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