Russian Easter Dessert (Pashka)

Russian Orthodox Christians created this dessert in celebration of Easter.

3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1 cup whipping cream
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 cups small-curd creamed cottage cheese
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup chopped mixed candied fruit
1/4 cup finely chopped blanched almonds

Mix egg yolks and whipping cream in heavy saucepan. Stir in sugar and salt. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture just coats a metal spoon, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla extract. Place saucepan in cold water until custard is cool. If custard curdles, beat with hand beater until smooth.

Place 3 cups of the cottage cheese and 2 tablespoons of the butter in blender container. Cover and blend on medium speed, stopping blender occasionally to scrape sides, until smooth. Repeat with remaining cottage cheese and butter. Stir custard into cheese mixture until smooth. Stir in candied fruit and almonds.

Line a 2-quart non-clay flower pot (with opening in bottom) with double layer dampened cheesecloth. Pour cheese mixture into pot; fold ends of cheesecloth over top. Place pot in shallow pan; place weights on top. Refrigerate 12 to 24 hours, pouring off any liquid that accumulates in pan.

To serve, unmold onto serving plate; remove cheesecloth. Garnish as desired ith additional candied fruit and blanched almonds.

Refrigerate any remaining dessert.

Yields 12 to 14 servings.