Easy Vanilla Quark Cheesecake Recipe

Cheesecake is one of those desserts that can range from incredibly rich and indulgent to surprisingly light, depending on how you make it. This quark cheesecake sits firmly towards the lighter end, but it still feels like you’re actually eating cheesecake rather than a sad diet substitute!

Quark works really well in cheesecake because it has that thick, creamy texture without needing lots of cream or full-fat soft cheese. It also has a fairly mild flavour, so vanilla works beautifully with it and you can easily experiment with other flavours too.

This is a baked quark cheesecake, so don’t expect exactly the same texture as a traditional New York cheesecake. It’s lighter and a little different, but that’s precisely why I like it.

I originally shared this recipe with Slimming World followers in mind, and I’ve included information further down about making quark cheesecake when following Slimming World. You absolutely don’t need to be following a particular diet to enjoy it, though. If you’ve got a tub of quark in the fridge and you’re wondering what on earth to make with it, cheesecake is a very good answer!

Just Average Jen is an independent blog not connected with any weight loss plan. Please check nutritional values and/or syns/Swips yourself. Information correct at time of writing – always check official Slimming World materials for updates.

What is quark cheesecake?

Quark cheesecake is simply a cheesecake that uses quark as one of its main ingredients rather than relying entirely on traditional cream cheese.

Quark is a soft dairy product with a thick consistency and relatively mild flavour. Depending on the variety you buy, it can be considerably lower in fat than full-fat cream cheese, which is why you’ll often find it used in lighter cheesecake recipes.

The finished texture isn’t identical to a cheesecake made with lots of cream cheese and cream, and I think it’s better to be upfront about that rather than promising you won’t notice any difference.

A quark cheesecake tends to be lighter, but once you’ve added vanilla and your other ingredients, you can still make a really lovely dessert.

If you are not sure about Quark, then why not try some sweetened with Smores Brownies as a cream-type accompaniment?

Why use quark in cheesecake?

One of the biggest advantages is how easy quark is to use.

You already have a thick, creamy base without needing lots of cream, and its fairly neutral flavour means it works with all sorts of cheesecake flavours.

It’s also a useful way of making a lower-fat cheesecake if that’s something you’re looking for. That doesn’t mean cheesecake suddenly becomes something with no calories that you should eat by the trayful – unfortunately, I’ve yet to discover the ingredient that achieves that particular miracle!

What it does mean is that you can make a different style of cheesecake that may fit your preferences better than a very rich traditional version.

Quark is also useful in plenty of other recipes, so if you’ve bought a large tub and don’t use all of it for this cheesecake, don’t throw the rest away.

My Quark Guide if you want more quark ideas.

What does quark cheesecake taste like?

Quark itself can have a slightly tangy flavour, but it works particularly well with vanilla and sweeter ingredients.

This cheesecake has a lighter flavour than a very rich cream-cheese cheesecake, which I actually think makes it quite nice after a meal when you want dessert but don’t fancy anything too heavy.

If you’re making quark cheesecake for the first time, I’d go into it expecting a cheesecake in its own right rather than expecting an exact copy of a full-fat New York cheesecake. They’re different – and that’s absolutely fine.

How to make a good quark cheesecake

The full quantities and instructions are in the recipe card below. Read through the recipe before starting, particularly if you haven’t baked with quark before.

One of the biggest things to remember is that quark behaves differently from full-fat cream cheese, so don’t worry if the mixture or finished cheesecake doesn’t look exactly like a traditional cheesecake at every stage.

Tips for making quark cheesecake

Quark cheesecake isn’t particularly difficult to make, but there are a few things worth knowing before you start.

First, use the plain unflavoured quark as specified in the recipe. Different products can have slightly different consistencies, and using something considerably wetter can affect the finished cheesecake.

Try not to panic about the cheesecake while it’s baking either. Cheesecakes don’t necessarily behave like ordinary cakes, and judging them purely by whether they look completely firm in the oven can lead to overbaking.

Cooling is important too. Give the cheesecake time to cool and set properly before deciding whether it’s worked. Cutting into it while it’s still warm because you’re impatient – something I can entirely understand where cheesecake is concerned – won’t necessarily show you what the final texture will be like.

And if you’re making it for guests, I’d make it in advance rather than timing things so you’re staring through the oven door while everyone waits for pudding!

Can you make different flavours of quark cheesecake?

Definitely. Vanilla is a brilliant starting point because it works so well with quark, but once you’ve made the basic recipe you can experiment.

Fresh berries are an obvious addition, either served alongside the cheesecake or added as a topping. Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries all work well with vanilla.

You could also experiment with lemon or other citrus flavours, chocolate, coffee or different extracts and flavourings.

Just remember that adding extra ingredients can alter the texture of a baked cheesecake. Pouring lots of additional liquid into the mixture, for example, isn’t necessarily going to produce the result you hoped for.

For an easy variation, I’d leave the actual cheesecake mixture alone and change the toppings instead.

What can I serve with vanilla quark cheesecake?

This is lovely on its own, but adding fruit is probably my favourite easy option.

Fresh strawberries or raspberries give you that classic cheesecake-and-berries combination without needing to do anything complicated. You could also make a simple fruit compote if you want something more dessert-like.

For something more indulgent, add chocolate, biscuit crumbs or a drizzle of sauce.

Or just eat a slice straight from the fridge. Not every cheesecake needs to look as though it’s auditioning for Bake Off.

Is quark cheesecake healthier than regular cheesecake?

It can be lower in fat and calories than some traditional cheesecake recipes, particularly when lower-fat quark replaces ingredients such as full-fat cream cheese or cream.

But there’s so much variation between cheesecake recipes that I wouldn’t claim every quark cheesecake is automatically healthier than every traditional cheesecake.

The base, toppings, sugar and other ingredients all contribute to the finished dessert too.

For me, the useful thing about recipes like this isn’t trying to turn cheesecake into a “good” food. It’s simply having different ways to make foods you enjoy.

If you’re trying to lose weight, you don’t have to give up cheesecake forever. A lighter recipe might sometimes be what you fancy, and another time you might want a slice of traditional cheesecake. Both can have a place in a balanced diet.

Making quark cheesecake on Slimming World

Quark became very popular with Slimming World members, which is actually how lots of people first discovered it. I know plenty of people who had never bought quark in their lives until they started looking for ways to make creamy sauces and desserts on Slimming World!

If you’re following Slimming World now, you can still use this quark cheesecake recipe, but I’d recommend calculating it according to the current plan and the exact ingredients you’re using.

Older versions of this recipe and older Slimming World posts online may talk about Syns or describe recipes as “Syn Free”. Slimming World’s plan has changed since many of those articles were written, including the introduction of Swips, additionally the Swip value of biscuits for example changes when recipes change so it is always wise to check for yourself.

The quark you choose, biscuits used for the base and any toppings or other ingredients can all affect how the finished cheesecake fits into your plan.

If you’re a current member, check your ingredients in the Slimming World app and calculate the recipe based on the number of portions you’re actually cutting it into.

And remember that a food having a Swip value doesn’t make it unhealthy or something you shouldn’t eat. It’s simply the way Slimming World accounts for that particular food within its plan.

My Swips calculator

Can I make a Syn Free Slimming World cheesecake?

You’ll probably come across searches and older recipes describing “Syn Free Slimming World cheesecake”, because that terminology was used extensively under previous versions of the plan.

Slimming World has changed its terminology and plan over the years, and the value of a cheesecake also depends on the exact ingredients and quantities you’re using.

If you’ve arrived here after searching for a Syn Free cheesecake recipe, you can absolutely still make this one. I’d simply calculate it using the current plan rather than relying on an old Syn value. It uses ingredients that need to be calculated, so it won’t be completely free, unfortunately, but you can still enjoy it.

Can I make quark cheesecake without a biscuit base?

You can make some quark cheesecakes without a traditional biscuit base, although obviously that gives you a different finished dessert.

Personally, I like having some contrast between the creamy cheesecake and the base. Your existing recipe uses a relatively thin biscuit base, so I’d keep it exactly as you’ve designed it.

If you’re changing or removing the base for dietary reasons, remember that this will also alter the nutritional information and any Slimming World calculation for the finished recipe.

How should I store quark cheesecake?

Once cooled, keep your cheesecake refrigerated in a covered container or appropriately wrapped.

Because this contains dairy and eggs, I wouldn’t leave it sitting at room temperature for long periods.

It’s also one of those desserts that benefits from being properly chilled before serving, so making it ahead can be quite convenient.

Can you freeze quark cheesecake?

Quark itself can change texture when frozen and defrosted, so a frozen quark cheesecake may not have exactly the same texture as one that’s freshly made.

If you do decide to freeze leftovers, I’d portion them first so you don’t need to defrost an entire cheesecake for the sake of one slice.

Defrost it safely in the fridge and see what you think of the texture. Personally, if I knew the cheesecake was going to be eaten within a few days, I’d rather keep it refrigerated.

Quark cheesecake FAQs

Is quark the same as cream cheese?

Not exactly. Both can be used in cheesecake recipes, but they have different compositions, flavours and textures. You shouldn’t necessarily assume you can swap one for the other in any cheesecake recipe without affecting the result.

Does quark taste sour in cheesecake?

Quark can have a slightly tangy flavour, but vanilla and the other ingredients in a cheesecake balance that. The finished cheesecake shouldn’t simply taste like you’re eating a spoonful of plain quark!

Can you bake quark?

Yes. Quark can be used in baked recipes, including cheesecake. This recipe is specifically designed as a baked quark cheesecake.

Is quark cheesecake good for weight loss?

No cheesecake causes weight loss simply because it contains quark. However, using lower-fat quark can help make a lighter cheesecake if that’s what you’re looking for.

Weight loss depends on your overall diet and energy intake rather than whether one particular dessert contains quark.

Can I make this cheesecake the day before?

Yes, and cheesecake is actually quite handy when you’re entertaining because you can make it ahead and allow it plenty of time to cool and chill before serving.

More recipes using Quark

If this vanilla quark cheesecake has made you realise you should use quark more and are looking for more recipes with it check out my ultimate quark recipe list here including chocolate and coffee cheesecake, frozen berry cheesecake and semifreddo.

Do you fancy looking at the other dessert ideas I share? Check out my desserts article with lots of yummy dessert recipes.

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