Cold Polish Cheesecake with Strawberries – Summer Treat in the Garden
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of being invited to a beautiful outdoor photo session by Lady Linens. The setting was magical – a lush garden next to a charming old villa. It was a dreamy day filled with sunshine, fresh strawberries, and timeless Polish linen pieces. I brought my homemade Polish Cold Cheesecake with Strawberries — sernik na zimno — and it became the star of the table.
The stunning photos you see in this post were taken by the talented Natalia Kapsa — I absolutely love how she captured the mood, the textures, and the colors of the afternoon.
Lady Linens – Linen with Soul
Lady Linens is a brand I was truly excited to work with. Founded by Alice, a person with deep Polish roots and a passion for artisan heritage, Lady Linens curates limited-edition linen collections crafted by small family-owned businesses in Poland. These beautiful tablecloths, napkins, aprons, and kitchen towels are made using time-honored techniques, passed down through generations.
“My family is from Poland, and I have been a collector of artisan products from Poland for many years. I especially love linen, which has been produced in Poland for centuries and often passed down through the family. There is a strong national tradition of textile production and artisan work in Poland, and I’m always excited to discover unique linen products with provenance and panache.” – Lady Linens
The newest collection includes stunning patterns featuring traditional Polish flowers — poppies (maki), sunflowers, dandelions (mniszek lekarski), meadows, and cornflowers.
I absolutely love poppies and dandelions — they remind me of Polish fields in the summer and the carefree days of childhood.
You can find their full collection at www.ladylinens.com.
And here’s a treat for my readers in the USA: use the code cookinpolish10 for 10% off your order!
Now, let’s get to the dessert!
Cold Cheesecake with Strawberries is one of the easiest and most delicious Polish summer desserts. With just a few ingredients, no baking, and a lovely creamy texture, it’s a crowd-pleaser — both for kids and adults!
Ingredients:
- 1 kg (2.2 lb) of twaróg (Polish curd cheese) or farmer’s cheese
- 4 tablespoons powder sugar or other sweetener
- 2 packets of fruit-flavored jelly (gelatin dessert) — for the cheesecake base
- 250 ml (1 cup) boiling water
- ladyfinger biscuits or sponge cake — to line the bottom
- fresh strawberries and blueberries for topping
- 2 packets of fruit-flavored jelly — for the topping
- 800 ml (about 3.5 cups) boiling water — for the topping layer
Instructions:
- Prepare the jelly (base layer):
Dissolve 2 packets of jelly in 250 ml of boiling water. Let it cool and start to thicken. - Make the cheese filling:
In a food processor, mix the twaróg and sugar until smooth. Gradually add in the thickening jelly and blend just until combined. - Assemble:
Line a round springform pan with ladyfingers or sponge cake. Pour the cheese mixture on top. Smooth the surface. - Add fruit:
Arrange sliced strawberries and some blueberries on top. - Prepare the jelly topping:
Dissolve 2 packets of jelly in 800 ml of boiling water. Let cool until it begins to thicken slightly. Gently pour it over the fruit layer. - Chill:
Refrigerate for a few hours, or overnight, until fully set.
This is the simplest recipe for Cold Cheesecake with Strawberries, you can imagine — no baking, few ingredients, and the result is stunning! It’s refreshing, light, and naturally sweet. Perfect for summer days in the garden, and it always brings back sweet memories from childhood.
Final Thoughts
Sernik na zimno is one of those nostalgic dishes for many of us who grew up in Poland. I’m happy to share it today, beautifully presented on the elegant linen tableware from Lady Linens.
If you’d like to bring a bit of Polish heritage into your own home — whether it’s through food or textiles — I warmly encourage you to visit www.ladylinens.com and use code cookinpolish10 for 10% off your order.
Let me know in the comments:
Did you grow up in Poland?
What summer desserts remind you of your childhood?
Smacznego!
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Polish food recipes, sentimental Polish cuisine, only tried and true recipes, Polish American.
