Transylvanian Cheese Danishes - with a delicious creamy filling

cream cheese

🥗Healthier: ricotta cheese

💰Cheaper: cottage cheese

Ricotta offers a lighter texture with fewer calories.

puff pastry

🥗Healthier: phyllo dough

💰Cheaper: homemade pastry dough

Phyllo dough is lower in fat and can be more economical.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey adds sweetness with a unique flavor.

powdered sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

💰Cheaper: granulated sugar

Coconut sugar is a natural alternative with a lower glycemic index.

Break the fresh yeast into warm milk and stir it together with sugar until dissolved, then set aside to rise until bubbly.

Sift the flour into a bowl to remove lumps and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine the risen yeast mixture, sugar, lemon rind, 2 eggs, and about 2 cups of flour. Mix on low until a dough forms.

Add more flour as needed, then add Himalayan salt and melted butter. Mix for 5-6 minutes until the dough is smooth, soft, and elastic.

Transfer the dough to a floured bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rest until doubled in size (about 45 minutes to 1 hour).

For the filling, mix 500 g of dry cottage cheese to break up lumps, then add sugar, eggs, and lemon rind. Mix until smooth.

Fold in cream of wheat and soaked, drained raisins until well combined, then set aside.

Once the dough has risen, transfer it to a floured surface and divide it in half. Roll out each half to about 12 in by 15 in.

Cut the rolled dough into four parts lengthwise, then cut across into squares about 3 in in diameter.

Place 1 tablespoon of the cheese mixture in the center of each square. Fold opposite corners together over the filling and pinch to seal. Repeat with remaining corners.

Place the filled danishes on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for 30 minutes.

Make an egg wash by whisking one egg with a splash of milk until frothy. Brush the danishes with the egg wash.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens