Liptauer (Austrian Paprika Cheese Spread)
In short: A creamy Austrian spread of quark, butter, sweet paprika, caraway, onion and capers. Serve with dark bread, radishes and a cold beer. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 185 kcal
Liptauer is the spiced cheese spread served at Austrian wine taverns. Fresh quark is beaten with butter and cream cheese, then seasoned with sweet paprika, caraway, mustard, capers and finely chopped onion, giving a pink-orange spread that is creamy, tangy and a little sharp. It goes on dark bread or pretzels, with radishes and sliced peppers on the side. It takes 15 minutes to make, but it needs a few hours in the fridge to settle.
Instructions
- Let the butter and cream cheese soften at room temperature for 30 minutes. If the quark is wet, drain it in a fine sieve for 15 minutes.
- Beat the butter in a bowl with a wooden spoon until creamy. Add the quark and cream cheese and mix until smooth.
- Stir in the onion, sweet paprika, hot paprika if using, caraway, mustard, capers, gherkins and salt. Taste and adjust, adding more paprika for color, mustard for bite or a pinch of hot paprika for heat.
- Cover and chill for at least 2 hours, so the flavors blend and the color deepens. Sprinkle with the chives and a pinch of paprika.
- Serve with dark rye bread or pretzels, radishes and sliced peppers.
Tips
- Make it a day ahead. The flavor mellows overnight, and the spread keeps in the fridge for 4 days.
- Many versions add a splash of beer or a little minced garlic. For a milder spread, leave out the capers and caraway.
Questions and answers
What is Liptauer?
A spiced fresh cheese spread from Central Europe, made with quark or sheep cheese, butter, sweet paprika, caraway, onion and capers. In Austria it is served at wine taverns on dark bread.
Which cheese is best for Liptauer?
Traditionally a fresh sheep cheese is used. Quark mixed with a little cream cheese is the easiest alternative and gives a smooth, tangy spread.
Can I make Liptauer without butter?
Yes, but the spread is less rich and a little less smooth. Replace the butter with extra cream cheese or a spoonful of sour cream.
How long does it take to make Liptauer (Austrian Paprika Cheese Spread)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Liptauer (Austrian Paprika Cheese Spread)?
About 185 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 3 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 185 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 330 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
