Russian Pluck Cake

The Russian "pluck" cake, or "russischer Zupfkuchen" in German, is a cheese cake that contains cocoa. Part of the chocolate cake is saved or "plucked" from the main portion to decorate the top of the cake. This cake is festive and, for children (or even adults!), much fun if the chocolate dough is used to write on the top of the cake! Light a candle and let the magic begin. The recipe is fairly straightforward--here are the ingredients you'll need:
For the chocolate part:
-300g flour
-180g sugar
-200 g softened butter or margarine
-1 egg
-40g cocoa powder
-1 pkg baking powder
-1/4 tsp salt
For the cheese filling:
-70g butter
-500g quark
-200g sweet cream
-200g sugar
-1 tsp vanilla
-1 pkg instant vanilla pudding powder
-3 eggs
-pinch of salt

~~~~~~Directions~~~~~~~~~~~
For the chocolate dough:
Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Add sugar and sifted cocoa. Using a kneading beaters, knead in shortening and egg until the dough is completely mixed. Pinch off about a quarter of the dough to a separate bowl and reserve for later. Spread remaining chocolate dough to line a round spring-form baking pan, making sure the sides come up to nearly the top of the side ring.

For the cheese filling:
Beat the butter, then quark, cream and eggs and remaining ingredients. Pour mixture into the chocolate dough-lined springform. Using remaining chocolate dough that had been set aside, pluck off pieces and decorate the top of the cake, or use to form decorative shapes or letters, if desired.

Bake at 180C for a good hour, or until the cake no longer jiggles when moved. Check that the center is done by inserting a knife. Allow the cake to cool in springform before releasing the spring latch. Enjoy!!!