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Vatrushka

Vatrushka is a traditional Eastern European pastry — especially popular in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. It’s usually a round, soft bun made from yeast-leavened dough with a filling of sweetened farmer’s cheese (similar to cottage cheese or quark) in the center.
You can think of it as a sort of “cheese danish,” but with a distinct Slavic flavor! The dough is often enriched with butter and milk, making it tender and slightly sweet, while the filling is creamy, sometimes flavored with vanilla, raisins, or a bit of lemon zest.
There are also savory variations — some filled with potatoes, mushrooms, or meat — but the classic version is sweet and enjoyed with tea or coffee.
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Rising Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Eastern European, Russian, Ukrainian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the dough:

For the filling:

For brushing:

  • 1 egg (lightly beaten, for glaze)

Instructions
 

  • Activate the yeast:
    Mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
  • Make the dough:
    In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, softened butter, and egg. Stir and knead for about 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
    (You can use a mixer with a dough hook or knead by hand.)
  • Let it rise:
    Form the dough into a ball, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
  • Prepare the filling:
    In a bowl, mix the farmer’s cheese, egg yolk, sugar, vanilla, and any optional flavorings until smooth and creamy.
  • Shape the buns:
    Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball, then flatten it slightly (about 4–5 inches in diameter).
    Press a deep well in the center with your fingers or the bottom of a glass — that’s where the filling will go.
  • Add the filling:
    Spoon the cheese filling into the center of each dough circle.
  • Brush and bake:
    Brush the edges of the dough with beaten egg for shine.
    Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C / 350°F for about 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Cool and serve:
    Let cool slightly on a rack. They taste wonderful warm or at room temperature — perfect with tea, coffee, or even a glass of milk.
Disclaimer

Some parts of recipe maybe AI-generated.

Nutrition

Calories: 500kcal (25%)Carbohydrates: 67g (22%)Protein: 20g (40%)Fat: 16g (25%)Saturated Fat: 8g (50%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 167mg (56%)Sodium: 542mg (24%)Potassium: 247mg (7%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 13g (14%)Vitamin A: 578IU (12%)Vitamin C: 0.003mgCalcium: 313mg (31%)Iron: 4mg (22%)
Disclaimer

Nutritional information for this recipe is an approximation and is not to be construed as medical advice.

Keyword baked, cheese-filled, sweet, yeast-leavened
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