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Liptauer (Austrian Cheese Spread) in a cream-colored ramekin next to baguette slices and speck.
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Liptauer (Austrian Cheese Spread)

A recipe for Liptauer (Austrian Cheese Spread)! This Topfen-based spread is flavored with a blend of paprika, caraway, onion, capers, and pickles.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Austrian
Keyword appetizer, Austria, Austrian, herb, quark, spread
Prep Time 15 minutes
Resting Time: 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings 2 Cups

Ingredients

  • 8 tablespoons (114 grams) unsalted butter softened at room temperature
  • 1 cup (250 grams) Topfen/Quark drained
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped pickled cucumber I generally use about 2 cornichons
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped capers
  • 1 garlic clove peeled and minced
  • 2 tablespoons (30 grams) sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon sweet paprika Hungarian, plus optionally more for sprinkling
  • 1 teaspoon ground caraway seeds
  • 1 teaspoon mustard I like to use Dijon mustard or Estragon Senf (tarragon mustard) when I can find it
  • 1 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For serving:

  • sliced fresh chives
  • baguette slices or other bread or crackers
  • Speck

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a medium bowl, beat the butter until light and smooth.
  • Beat in the Topfen until the mixture is combined and creamy with no pieces of butter remaining.
  • Fold in the onion, pickled cucumber, capers, and garlic until evenly combined.
  • Fold in the sour cream, paprika, caraway, mustard, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste, cover the bowl, and refrigerate for 3 hours to overnight.
  • Serve the Liptauer within two days alongside baguette or other bread slices, other accompaniments such as Speck, and a sprinkling of fresh chives and optionally a little more paprika.