Obatzda Recipe

There’s truly nothing like a cozy afternoon spent indulging in homemade Obatzda. The blend of Camembert, cream cheese, and a touch of wheat beer creates a creamy, savory delight that pairs perfectly with the crunch of a pretzel or the hearty texture of rye bread.

Obatzda is a Bavarian delicacy that I adore, combining the creamy Camembert, tangy cream cheese, and rich butter that I love. I really appreciate how the sweet paprika and caraway seeds elevate its already delicious flavors.

And served with pretzels, it’s just a wonderful, protein-, calcium-rich snack or appetizer.

Obatzda Recipe Ingredients

• Camembert cheese: Rich and creamy, providing a savory depth and smooth texture.
• Cream cheese: Adds a tangy flavor and creamy consistency.
• Unsalted butter: Enhances richness and spreads easily.
• Onion: Offers a sharpness and slight sweetness when chopped.
• Sweet paprika: Delivers a mildly spicy, earthy warmth.
• Caraway seeds: Adds a nutty and anise-like flavor.
• Wheat beer: Offers subtle bitterness and depth, enhances creaminess.
• Chives: Provides a fresh, mild onion taste for garnish.

Obatzda Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 8 oz (225g) Camembert cheese, room temperature
• 3 oz (85g) cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 oz (60g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
• 1 tablespoon caraway seeds, crushed
• Dash of salt
• Dash of black pepper
• 2 tablespoons wheat beer (or milk, if desired)
• Chives, chopped (for garnish)
• Pretzels or rye bread (for serving)

How to Make this Obatzda Recipe

1. Start with the Camembert cheese and slice it into small enough pieces that will allow it to mix easily. Then take those pieces and put them into a mixing bowl.

2. Add the unsalted butter and cream cheese to the bowl with the Camembert.

3. To blend the cheeses and butter together until you have a smooth, spreadable mixture, use a fork or a potato masher.

4. Mix in the onion, chopping it very fine and adding it in a way that ensures it is evenly distributed throughout that creamy, cheesy cloud.

5. Mix in thoroughly the crushed caraway seeds and sweet paprika.

6. Add a little salt and black pepper. We want the dish to be bright and flavorful, but not over-seasoned. Adjust the seasoning to your taste, and keep in mind that you want it to be a little bit, you know, zippy.

7. Slowly incorporate the wheat beer (or milk) into the mix, and stir constantly until it reaches the perfect creamy texture.

8. Let the Obatzda rest, covered, in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This allows the flavors to meld together.

9. When it is time to serve, move the Obatzda to a serving dish.

10. Top with minced chives and serve with pretzels or rye bread, if you like.

Obatzda Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Knife
2. Cutting board
3. Mixing bowl
4. Fork or potato masher
5. Measuring spoons
6. Spoon or spatula (for mixing)
7. Plastic wrap or lid (for covering bowl)
8. Serving dish

FAQ

• What is Obatzda?Obatzda, a cheese spread from Bavaria very akin to ones found in France, is made mainly with Camembert, cream cheese, and butter, and it is seasoned with paprika and caraway seeds. It has a very rich flavor boutique to it that makes it a wonderful part of a snack spread.
• Can I use other types of cheese?Obatzda is typically made with Camembert, but feel free to substitute Brie or another soft cheese if you like. You might notice a slight variation in flavor, depending on what cheese you use. Either way, you’re going to get that typical rich and creamy texture that is characteristic of this Bavarian favorite.
• Is it necessary to use beer in the recipe?A traditional Bavarian flavor comes from the beer; however, you can substitute that with milk if you prefer or wish to avoid alcohol.
• How long can Obatzda be stored?An airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days is a good storage method. Allow it to reach room temperature before serving to bring out the flavors.
• What can I serve alongside Obatzda?It is usually served along with classic pretzels or rye bread and can be enhanced with the flavor of chives.
• Can the recipe be made in advance?Making it one day in advance lets the flavors meld together perfectly.
• Do the caraway seeds need to be crushed?Indeed, defeating the caraway seeds assists in letting their taste out and blending it more evenly into the spread.

Obatzda Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Camembert cheese: A replacement for this cheese can be Brie.
Cream cheese: You can use mascarpone or ricotta cheese as a substitute.
Sweet paprika. Use smoked paprika or regular paprika.
Fennel seeds or cumin seeds can be alternatives to caraway seeds.
Beer made from wheat: You can substitute it with apple cider or white wine, or use milk if you want to avoid the alcohol.

Pro Tips

1. Room Temperature Ingredients Ensure all ingredients, particularly the Camembert, cream cheese, and butter, are at room temperature before you begin mixing. This will make it easier to achieve a smooth, uniform texture.

2. Infuse the Onion Flavor For a subtle onion flavor, you can sauté the finely chopped onion in a little butter until soft and translucent before adding it to the cheese mixture.

3. Crush the Caraway Seeds Crushing the caraway seeds releases more of their flavor. You can use a mortar and pestle or place them in a small baggie and crush them with a rolling pin.

4. Flavor Resting While the recipe suggests resting for 1 hour, letting the Obatzda sit overnight in the refrigerator will enhance the melding of flavors, giving you a richer taste when served.

5. Serving Temperature Allow the Obatzda to sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before serving. This will soften the spread slightly and heighten its flavors, making it easier to spread and more enjoyable to eat.