Cheese Danish with Farmer’s Cheese- Vatrushki recipe

tvorog (cottage cheese)

🥗Healthier: ricotta

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Ricotta offers a similar texture with fewer calories.

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil is dairy-free and adds a unique flavor.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey provides natural sweetness and moisture.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water

Almond milk is a dairy alternative, while water reduces cost.

Add 1 cup of warm milk to a bowl at about 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mix in 1/2 tablespoon of instant yeast, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of flour; stir and let rest for 5-10 minutes until bubbly.

In a large bowl, pour in the yeast mixture, add 2 eggs, 1/4 cup of melted butter, 1/3 cup of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt; mix with a whisk.

Gradually add 3 1/2 cups of flour, mixing half in first and then the rest, leaving about 1/2 cup aside to control the dough consistency.

Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until soft and not sticky; cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size for about 1 hour.

Prepare the filling by mixing 1 pound of farmer's cheese, 1 egg yolk, 1/4 cup of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla until smooth.

Roll out the dough to about 1 inch thick and cut into 12 even pieces.

Gather the edges of each piece towards the center, pinch to seal, and roll to smooth them out.

Place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, cover with a towel, and let rest for 15 minutes.

Press the center of each dough piece with a round bottom cup dipped in melted butter to create a well.

Fill the wells with the farmer's cheese filling and brush the edges with an egg wash made from 1 beaten egg and 1 tablespoon of water.

Preheat the oven to 375°F and bake for 27 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens