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Sharon and Lou created this recipe for the home cook based on Sharon’s grandfather’s recipe that the bakery has been using since it opened in 1927. Don’t forget the cinnamon on top.
Custard (Make several hours ahead.)
2 cups milk
4 egg yolks
1/3 cup sugar
dash salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Over a double boiler, heat milk until bubbles form on side, just before boiling.
In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks with sugar and salt until smooth.Gradually, in a thin stream using a whisk, blend the hot milk into the egg mixture.Return to double boiler (make sure the water level in the bottom half of the boiler doesn’t touch the bottom of the top half).Add the vanilla. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture coats a metal spoon.Pour into a bowl and press wax paper on top to prevent skin from forming. Let cool completely.
Dough
1 3/4 cups white flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 package active dry yeast
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup hot water
1 egg
In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup flour, sugar, salt and undissolved yeast. Add butter and beat for a few seconds on medium speed. Gradually add hot water and beat for 2 minutes on medium speed, scraping sides of bowl. Add egg and 1/2 cup flour, and beat on high speed for 2 minutes, scraping down sides of the bowl. Mix in remaining 3/4 cups flour, mixing until smooth and elastic. Roll into ball, let rest for 5 minutes, spread in bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Let rise until doubled in volume.
To assemble smearcase
8 ounces cottage cheese, small curd
1/4cup sugar
cinnamon for dusting
Drain cottage cheese through cheesecloth to remove as much moisture as possible. In large mixing bowl on medium speed,blend in sugar and mix until smooth. Slowly add cooled custard mixture and mix on low speed until smooth.Being careful not to knock out air, spread smearcase mixture over dough. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Bake at 375 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes until set. Let cool completely before releasing springform.
Wonderful memories of eating this delicious Smearcase from the bakery in Gwynn Oak…also had terrific fresh each cake!
Thank you!! My grandmother lived in Gwynn Oak and I couldn’t wait to visit and go to the bakery for Smearcase and peach cake. Those are precious memories, combined with riding the wooden roller coaster at Gwynn Oak Park, going downtown to the Hippodrome, and shopping at Stewart’s and Hochschild’s. And I can’t forget buying “penny” candy at Woolworth’s and the sound of the old wood floors 🙂
The Woodlea Bakery on Belair Rd still makes this.
3/29/2024
I called Woodley Bakeky and I am sorry to
report they no longer make smearcase.
Hi Ron.
Woodlea Bakery in Bel Air, Md has them. We buy them often and as recently as today(10/18/24).
Their Smearcase still taste the same as it did many, many years ago from the original Bel Air Rd location.
As of Saturday, April 12, 2025, Woodlea Bakery on Belair Road had 2 smearcase cakes in their display case. I got a slab about 5 x 6 inches to try. This was the first time I’ve ever had smearcase. I’ve been told that it is lumpy (not), not sweet enough (untrue), and no substitute for a “real” cheesecake (maybe). They are very different, not the same thing at all. I must say that I really liked the smearcase, and definitely intend to get more. I like a good cheesecake also, but there’s no reason not to enjoy a slab of smearcase if the opportunity permits.
I remember the same great memories
Sounds like my childhood love it
Memories.
If memories made my day; the memories of peach cake and smearcase from a bakery in Highlandtown would be the best ever.
Would love to see a picture of the finished cheesecake 🙂