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Traditional Russian Cheese Pastries First Image

Traditional Russian Cheese Pastries (Vatrushka)


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  • Total Time: 85 minutes
  • Yield: 8 pastries 1x

Description

Enjoy your delightful, traditional Russian cheese pastries!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup warm milk
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup farmer’s cheese or ricotta
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup sugar (for cheese filling)
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until frothy. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg to the dry ingredients. Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1-1.5 hours).
  2. Prepare the Cheese Filling: Combine farmer’s cheese, sour cream, sugar, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Mix until well combined and smooth.
  3. Assemble the Pastries: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten it into a disk, creating a small well in the center. Place a generous tablespoon of the cheese mixture into each well.
  4. Bake the Pastries: Arrange the assembled pastries on the prepared baking sheet. Allow them to rest for 10 minutes. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown and the cheese is set.

Notes

  • Ensure that the milk is warm but not hot to properly activate the yeast.
  • You can add dried fruits or nuts to the cheese filling for added flavor.
  • For a glossy finish, brush the pastries with a beaten egg before baking.
  • These pastries are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for a couple of days.
  • Prep Time: 60 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Russian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 pastry
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg