Name: Sunken Cake: Quick mug cake with a quark lattice, fruit and jam
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 16
Ingredients: 3 eggs; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup oil; ½ cup water; 1 packet vanilla sugar; 2 cups semi-coarse flour; 1 packet baking powder; A pinch of salt (optional); 1 tub of soft quark; 1 egg yolk; 1–2 tablespoons powdered sugar (to taste); 1 packet vanilla sugar; 1 teaspoon rum (or a few drops of rum extract; optional); Canned peaches (in pieces) or fresh seasonal fruit; Currant or plum jam (spooned into "dots")

Preparation procedure

Preheat the Oven: Set to 170 °C (top/bottom heat). Grease and flour the baking sheet (or line with parchment paper).
Mix the Batter: In a bowl whisk the eggs with the sugar and vanilla sugar until lighter and frothy. Add the oil and water, mix briefly. Stir in the flour combined with the baking powder (and a pinch of salt). Spread the batter on the prepared baking sheet.
Quark Layer: Mix the quark with the egg yolk, powdered and vanilla sugar and rum. Using a spoon or piping bag, pipe it into a lattice across the entire surface of the cake.
Fruit and Jam: Place the peach pieces on the quark and add the jam by the teaspoonful (currant/plum).
Bake: Place in the oven and bake 30–35 minutes until golden. A skewer inserted into the batter should come out dry (note: it may be smeared by the quark/jam).
Finishing: Let cool briefly on a rack. Cut into squares.

Total preparation time: 45–50 minutes

Number of servings: 16–20

Note: 1 cup = 250 ml

Tips for a Sure Result

The Sunken Effect Is Intentional: The quark, fruit and jam form “islands” that pull the batter in places – the cake is extra moist as a result.
Fruit to Suit: Juicy fruit (peaches, apricots) can be lightly patted dry and the juice allowed to drain.
Flavor Balance: When using sweet jam, reduce the sugar in the quark by a tablespoon; with tart currants, increase it instead.
Variations: Stir a teaspoon of lemon zest into the batter or replace 2 tablespoons of flour with cocoa for a “marble”.

Conclusion

The sunken cake is an example of how a quick mug base and a few extra ingredients can conjure up a dessert that everyone enjoys. The quark lattice ensures moistness, the fruit freshness and the jam full flavor. Save the recipe in your family repertoire – it’s a reliable choice for the weekend or an unexpected visit.