Skyrterta (Icelandic Skyr Cake with Blueberry Sauce)
In short: A no-bake dessert of skyr and whipped cream on a buttery cracker base, topped with a glossy blueberry sauce, a favorite at Icelandic celebrations. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 10 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Resting
- 6 h
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 10
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 350 kcal
Skyr is Iceland's thick, tangy cultured dairy product, and skyrterta turns it into a light, creamy no-bake cake. A buttery cracker base holds a mousse of skyr and whipped cream, and a tart blueberry sauce goes on top. It is a staple at birthday and family parties, and it is easy to make a day ahead. Use plain skyr, or very thick strained Greek yogurt if you cannot find it.
Instructions
- Butter the bottom and sides of a 20 cm (8 in) springform pan. Crush the crackers to fine crumbs in a bag with a rolling pin, then mix with the melted butter until the crumbs look like wet sand.
- Press the crumbs firmly into the base of the pan and 2 cm (3/4 in) up the sides. Chill for 20 minutes.
- Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water in a small bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes. Heat in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds, until fully melted and clear. Cool for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk the skyr with the sugar, vanilla and lemon zest until smooth. Whisk 3 tablespoons of the skyr mixture into the gelatin, then whisk that back into the bowl.
- Whip the cream to soft peaks and fold it into the skyr mixture in two additions, until no streaks remain.
- Pour the filling over the crumb base and smooth the top. Chill for at least 6 hours, until firm.
- For the sauce, simmer the blueberries, sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan for 5 minutes, until the berries burst. Stir in the cornstarch mixed with the water and cook for 1 minute, until glossy and thick. Cool completely.
- Spoon the sauce over the cake, run a knife around the edge, release the springform and slice with a hot, dry knife.
Tips
- Strain regular Greek yogurt through a cloth for 2 hours if you cannot find skyr, so the filling sets firmly.
- Dip a knife in hot water and wipe it dry between slices for clean cuts. Keep the cake chilled until just before serving.
Questions and answers
What is skyr?
A thick, high-protein Icelandic cultured dairy product with a mild, clean sourness. It looks like yogurt but is thicker and less sweet.
Can I make skyrterta without gelatin?
You can leave it out, but the cake will be softer. Freeze it for 2 hours before slicing to get neat portions.
Can I use another berry?
Yes. Raspberries, strawberries or crowberries all work. Adjust the sugar to taste, since wild berries are often tarter.
How long does it take to make Skyrterta (Icelandic Skyr Cake with Blueberry Sauce)?
About 40 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Skyrterta (Icelandic Skyr Cake with Blueberry Sauce)?
About 350 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 35 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 350 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 35 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 20 g |
| Sodium | 140 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
