Contents
Learn how to make authentic Finnish Squeaky Cheese (Leipäjuusto) at home! 🧀 With its golden caramelized crust and signature squeak, this mild, comforting bread cheese is perfect served warm, cold, or even dunked in coffee! 🇫🇮
Equipment
- Large stockpot
- Thermometer
- Cheese mold
- Cheesecloth
- Slotted spoon
- Heavy object (stack of plates)
Ingredients
- 1 gallon raw (unpasteurized) whole milk
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- Liquid rennet (per package instructions)
- Cheesecloth
- Heavy object for pressing (like plates)
Instructions
- Line a cheese mold with cheesecloth and set aside.
- In a large pot, combine milk and cream. Insert thermometer and slowly heat to 95°F (35°C).
- Remove from heat. Stabilize the temperature around 98.6°F (37°C).
- Stir in the liquid rennet thoroughly. Cover the pot and let it sit undisturbed for 30–60 minutes until curds form.
- Gently reheat to 150°F (65°C), stirring curds gently toward the center.
- Transfer curds to the mold. Cover with cheesecloth and press with a heavy weight for 30–60 minutes.
- Preheat broiler. Place cheese in an oven-safe dish and broil until deeply golden brown on top.
- Let cool briefly. Serve warm or cold!
Notes
Homemade traditional bread cheese that's warm, squeaky, and unforgettable!
If you've never heard of Finnish Squeaky Cheese — called Leipäjuusto (meaning "bread cheese") — you're in for a delicious surprise! 💛 Growing up, I tasted it now and then at weddings or other special events. It was always served cubed on toothpicks, recognizable by its golden-brown, caramelized crust and its distinctive squeaky sound when you chew it. 🥰
As a kid, I didn’t always appreciate it... but now, it’s pure nostalgia and comfort! Plus, homemade squeaky cheese is on a whole different level. So even if you’re skeptical, trust me: this mild, fresh cheese will win you over!
Important Note:You will need raw (unpasteurized) milk to make authentic Leipäjuusto. If you're not sure where to legally source it, reach out — it’s more accessible than you might think!
What Is Finnish Squeaky Cheese? 🤔
- Leipäjuusto = "Bread Cheese" in Finnish.
- Kaffeost = "Coffee Cheese" in Swedish — yes, sometimes they dunk it into hot coffee! ☕🧀
- Squeaky Cheese = Nickname for the squeaky sound it makes when you chew it!
Tools & Equipment You’ll Need 🛠️
- Large stockpot
- Food thermometer (one that stays in the milk)
- Cheese mold
- Cheesecloth
- Slotted spoon
- Heavy weight (like a stack of plates)
- Large liquid measuring cup
Ingredients for Finnish Squeaky Cheese 🥛🍶
- 1 gallon raw (unpasteurized) whole milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (pasteurized cream is fine, but raw cream is even better if available!)
- Liquid rennet (animal or vegetarian — see below for tips)
How to Make Traditional Leipäjuusto: Step-by-Step 📜✨
1. Prep Your Mold
Line your cheese mold with cheesecloth, allowing enough cloth to fold over the curds later.2. Warm the Milk
- In a large pot, combine the milk and cream.
- Insert your thermometer into the liquid (make sure it’s not touching the pot's bottom).
- Slowly heat over medium heat until it reaches 95°F (35°C).
- Remove from heat. Allow the temperature to stabilize at 98.6°F (37°C) — body temperature — before adding rennet.
3. Add Rennet
- Stir in the rennet thoroughly.
- Cover the pot and let it set undisturbed for 30–60 minutes.
- Once set, you’ll notice small curds separating from clearish whey.
4. Cook the Curds
- Gently reheat the pot over medium heat.
- Use a slotted spoon to stir the curds gently toward the center.
- Cook until the temperature reaches 150°F (65°C), and let it sit at that temperature for a couple of minutes.
5. Mold and Press the Cheese
- Transfer the curds into the prepared mold.
- Fold over the cheesecloth and place a heavy weight (plates work great!) on top.
- Allow it to press, releasing extra whey, for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
6. Broil to Perfection 🔥
- Preheat your oven broiler.
- Move the cheese to a baking dish and broil until the top is deep golden brown.
- Watch carefully — it might take several minutes!
How to Serve & Store Your Finnish Squeaky Cheese 🧀🍯
Serving Suggestions:
- Warm: Fresh out of the broiler is heavenly! Soft, a little melty, with that signature squeak.
- Cold: Great cubed and served with toothpicks at parties!
- With Jam: Traditionally served with cloudberry jam — a Nordic delicacy! Can't find cloudberry? Try it with raspberry or lingonberry jam. 🍇🍯
- In Coffee: Yep, drop a slice into a hot cup of coffee like they do in Sweden. It softens and absorbs all that rich flavor. ☕🧀
Storing:
- Wrap your cheese tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- You can also freeze it for longer storage, although it’s best enjoyed fresh.
