Käsekuchen (Cheesecake)

For the Crust
1 cup Cornstarch
1 stick + 3 tablespoons (150g) Unsalted Butter
1 cup Powdered Sugar
1 1/4 cups + 3 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 Egg
Pinch of Salt

For the Filling
1/2 cup Whole Milk
3/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
5 Eggs, separated into yolks and whites
28 ounces (800g) Quark
1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
1 Vanilla Bean
1 cup Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Lemon Zest

Preheat oven to 325°F (162°C).

Grease a Springform pan (26cm size).

Combine all the ingredients for the crust. Cover the bottom and 2/3rds up the side of the Springform pan with the dough. Set aside in a cool place.

Beat egg whites until peaks form. While beating sprinkle in 1/4 cup sugar.

Beat cream until peaks form.

Combine 3/4 cup sugar, milk, and flour. Mix until smooth. Add egg yolks, Quark, seeds of the Vanilla Bean, and lemon zest. Mix until combined. Gradually and gently fold in the whipped cream. Gradually and gently fold in the egg whites.

Pour filling into the prepared pan. Bake cake for about 70 minutes.

Remove from heat and allow cake to cool in the pan. Once cooled, refrigerate cake until chilled. Before serving, dust top of cake with powdered sugar (optional).