10-Minute Prep Bavarian Snow Cake with Vanilla Pudding & Meringue
Ingredients
For the Base
- 200g (1⅔ cups) all-purpose flour
- 100g (7 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
- 80g (⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 6g (1½ teaspoons) baking powder
- Pinch of salt
For the Filling
- 450g (16 oz) low-fat quark (or cottage cheese, strained)
- 250g (1 cup) sour cream
- 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar
- 3 egg yolks, room temperature
- 1 packet (8g) vanilla sugar (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- 200ml (¾ cup + 2 tablespoons) whole milk
- 1 packet (37g) vanilla pudding powder (not instant)
- Oil for greasing
For the Meringue Topping
- 3 egg whites, room temperature
- 40g (3 tablespoons) granulated sugar
Detailed Instructions
Step 1: Preparation
- Preheat oven to 180°C (356°F)
- Grease a 26cm (10-inch) springform pan
- Line bottom with parchment paper
Step 2: Make the Base
- In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light
- Beat in egg until well combined
- Sift together flour and baking powder
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into butter mixture
- Knead briefly until smooth dough forms
- Press evenly into prepared pan, creating a 1-inch rim up the sides
Step 3: Prepare the Filling
- In a large bowl, whisk quark until smooth
- Add sour cream, sugar, egg yolks, and vanilla sugar
- In a separate bowl, whisk milk with pudding powder until smooth
- Combine both mixtures until well blended
- Pour over prepared base
Step 4: First Bake
- Bake for 50 minutes until filling is set but still slightly wobbly
- Don’t open oven door during baking
Step 5: Meringue Topping
- Beat egg whites until foamy
- Gradually add sugar while beating
- Continue until stiff, glossy peaks form
- Carefully spread over warm cake
- Create decorative peaks with spatula
- Bake additional 10 minutes until lightly golden
Pro Tips
- All ingredients should be at room temperature
- Don’t overwork the base dough
- Strain cottage cheese if using instead of quark
- Ensure bowl is grease-free when making meringue
Storage
Best served same day. Can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, though meringue may soften.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (1/12 of cake):
- Calories: 320
- Total Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 42g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 25g
- Protein: 9g