Go Back
+ servings
A slice of Turkish yogurt cake with raspberry sauce.

Turkish Yogurt Cake

This Turkish yogurt cake is a lightened up dessert that tastes like a luxurious treat. It has a creamy, smooth texture similar to a cheesecake, yet it also has a light, airy quality thanks to the egg whites that are whipped into the batter. The combination of Greek yogurt and the raspberry sauce give it a sweet, tart flavor.
4.79 from 23 votes
Print Pin Save
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 157kcal
Author: Dahn Boquist

Ingredients

For the Yogurt Cake

  • 4 large eggs
  • ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar*
  • ½ cup sugar (100 grams)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1-½ cups Greek yogurt (390 grams)
  • 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Raspberry Sauce

  • 3 cups raspberries (12 ounces; 340 grams)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • Optional: 1-½ tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch springform pan with parchment paper. If your pan is less than 3 inches tall, make a collar with the parchment paper to extend the height of the cake pan. 
  • Separate the eggs yolks from the whites and place them in separate bowls. 
  • Add the cream of tartar to the egg whites and whip the whites on medium-high speed until they reach stiff peaks. Set the bowl aside.
  • Add the sugar to the bowl with the egg yolks and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the vanilla extract and continue beating for about 3 to 4 minutes until pale yellow. 
  • Add the yogurt, flour, baking powder, and salt to the egg yolk mixture and whisk until smooth.
  • Fold ⅓ of the egg whites into the yogurt batter until well incorporated. Gently fold in the remaining egg whites. 
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared springform pan and transfer it to the oven. 
  • Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. The cake will puff up very tall and then deflate when it comes out of the oven. 

Raspberry Sauce

  • Combine the raspberries, lemon juice and sugar in a saucepan set over medium high heat. Cook and stir until the raspberries break down and get juicy. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently until slightly thickened. 
  • If you want a thicker sauce: In a small dish, combine the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the raspberry mixture to the cornstarch slurry. Stir well, then stir it into the saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly over medium heat for 1 to 3 minutes or until the mixture is thick. 
  • When the cake is cool, serve the raspberry sauce over the yogurt cake. 

Notes

  • You can substitute the cream of tartar with ½ teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar. Any of these choices will help stabilize the egg whites when you whip them.
  • Do not over-whip the egg whites. Watch them closely; it is better to under-whip them to soft peaks than to over-whip them. if you whip them too much, they will look dry and chunky, and they will deflate easily.
  • Do not add the sugar to the egg yolks until you are ready to mix the yolks. If the egg yolks sit in the sugar without being mixed, the sugar will absorb the moisture, and the yolks will look clumpy, hard, and curdled.
 
Recipe adapted from Claudia Roden's Mediterranean cookbook.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 slice | Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 154mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 21g