Dessert📍 MoldovaEasy🥗 Vegetarian🐟 Pescatarian💪 High-protein

Moldavian Cornmeal & Cheese Cake

Name: Moldavian Cornmeal & Cheese Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 300 g fine cornmeal (polenta grind); 200 g all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; ½ tsp baking soda; ½ tsp salt; 4 large eggs; 500 g fresh cottage cheese / ricotta, well-drained; 300 ml full-fat sour cream (min. 20% fat); 150 ml whole milk; 100 ml sunflower oil or melted butter; 150 g sugar; 1 sachet vanilla sugar (8 g); grated zest of 1 lemon; optional: 2 tbsp raisins or dried fruit; sour cream for topping (optional); honey or apricot jam for serving

Moldavian alivancă is a traditional dessert from Moldova made from cornmeal, eggs, fresh cottage cheese, and sour cream. It has a soft, slightly crumbly texture. Baked in the oven and served warm or cold, plain or drizzled with sour cream and honey.

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Servings

⏱️

Prep

20 minutes

🔥

Cook

40 minutes

⏰

Total

1 hour

🥘Ingredients

servings

Base

Moisture & Binding

Sweetening & Flavour

Serving

📝Preparation steps 🗓️Add to Meal Planner 🎨Serving & Presentation

✅Dietary Compatibility

🥗Vegetarian🐟Pescatarian💪High-protein

🍽️

Yield

1 tray (approx. 12 servings)

📦Storage

❄️

Refrigerator

Store refrigerated, covered with cling film or in an airtight container, for up to 4 days.

🧊

Freezer

Freeze cut into individual slices wrapped in cling film for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or reheat in a 150 °C oven for 10 minutes.

🥗Nutrition Facts

Estimated values per 100 g of baked alivancă.

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Calories

~320 kcal per serving (100 g)

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Protein

~10 g

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Fat

~14 g

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Carbohydrates

~38 g

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Fiber

~1.5 g

🍷Pairs Well With

🥂Linden or mint tea — complements the delicate sweetness without overpowering it.

🥂A glass of cold milk — the classic Moldavian breakfast pairing.

🥂Sweet Cotnari wine or Frâncușă — a perfect regional affinity with floral notes.

💡Variations

Alivancă with feta-style cheese: Replace half the cottage cheese with crumbled sheep's brânză telemea for a salty, more complex flavour.

Wholegrain cornmeal alivancă: Use stone-ground wholegrain cornmeal for a more pronounced corn flavour and added fibre.

Fruit alivancă: Fold in 150 g blueberries, pitted cherries, or sour cherries for a fruity version.

Savoury herb alivancă: Omit the sugar, add 50 g grated fresh cheese, 1 bunch of chopped dill, and a pinch of pepper for a savoury snack.