I have a recipe for you that is going to blow your mind. It’s called Kochkäse, which means “cooked cheese” in German. It’s essentially the lovechild of butter and cheese. I’m already drooling just thinking about it.

This rich, savory spread comes from the Franconia region of Germany, and it was shared with me by Stephanie from the town of Schaumburg. She raves about how it’s been a staple in her family for generations and one of the first dishes her grandmother taught her to make.

You start with this funky cheese called Handkäse which has a pretty intense aroma. Stephanie warns it can be “quite pungent and quite smelly” and she was right! But then you melt it down with lots of butter, cream and other good stuff. The result is pure velvety decadence.

When I made this, the cheese texture threw me for a loop. It has a unique gelatinous quality. But after it’s melted down, it’s just gooey, cheesy goodness coating your mouth. Absolute insanity in the best way possible.

Stephanie says you can eat it on bread or served over schnitzel, but I think this would be yummy on just about everything – mashed potatoes, rice, shrimp, you name it. It’s so versatile and easy to make yet feels like this wonderfully indulgent treat. The perfect combo for elevating any meal into cheesy, buttery deliciousness. I’m obsessed – you will be too!