Chhena Poda | Baked Cottage Cheesecake

Chhena Poda is an extremely popular smoky flavored sweet delicacy from the state of Odisha in Indian subcontinent. The odia word ‘poda’ means burnt and ‘chhena‘ means cottage cheese, so Chhena Poda literally indicates a burnt cheesecake. And this is believed that this sweet dish is one of the most favorite dessert of Lord Jagannath in Puri, Odisha.

The history of this chhena poda tells that this smoky and sweet delicacy was originated in Nayagarh district of Odisha during the first half of the twentieth century by Sudarshana Sahoo. One-day instead of throwing out the left over chhena or cottage cheese while closing his shop, he decided to mix some sugar and nuts to those left overs and then placed inside the oven overnight (the oven was already tuned off and he didn’t put on, but was still warm). And on the nextday, surprisingly he found an amazingly delicious sweet dish and named that as Chhena Poda. Now-a-days, this dish is becoming a bit popular and anybody can get chance to taste this sweet dessert in all over Odisha, particularly much in coastal areas.

This is prepared by baking a mixture of some well kneaded homemade fresh chhena (cottage cheese), sugar, dry fruits (cashews & raisins) and sooji until brown in color. After baking, the result is a soft cheese cake with caramelization all around. Fresh and soft chhena is the key factor of this sweet cake. This has basically a distinct strong flavor from caramelization of sugar. The whole process is so easy and simple and also a must try dish for sweet craving persons. This popular dessert will surely make a center piece of attraction in parties.

So do try this delicious Chhena Poda. If you tried my recipe and enjoyed fully, then please share some pictures of your creation with me. Also give your valuable feedback either in the comment box below or tag me as #firsttimercook on Instagram. You may also follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, Instagram and can subscribe for free to get new recipes directly into your inbox 😊

Preparation Time : 10 mins  |  Cooking Time : 50 mins

Ingredients :        

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Method :

1. In a pan, fry chopped cashews and few raisins. Keep aside.
2. For caramelized effect on top of chhena poda, apply ghee (2 tbsp) all over a baking mold and then sprinkle 1/4 cup sugar.
3. Put the baking mold into the oven for 5 mins at 210 deg. Remove from oven and keep aside too.
4. Preheat the oven at 180 deg C.
5. Take chhena in a mixing bowl and mash it gently by hand. 
6. Then add sugar(1/2 cup), cardamom powder and mix properly.
7. Next add sooji, ghee (4 tbsp), milk, fried chopped cashews & raisins and mix well till everything incorporates well.
8. Transfer the chhena mixture into the mold evenly. Tap the mold a bit and bake at 180 deg for 40-45 mins / till a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
9. Take out the mold, cool it for 1-2 hours and then turn it upside down to get the deliciously soft chhena poda.
10. Cut into slices and serve warm / cold as desire !

Notes :

• Do not change the quantity of sugar for caramelization.
• Chhena poda can stay fresh refrigerated for up to 1-2 days.

PIN for later :

This Chhena Poda is contributed for the 145th theme of Foodie Monday Blog Hop team where the theme is ‘Cakes’.