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Nut Free
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Vegetarian
Russian Vatrushka Buns with Sweet Cheese Filling
Sweet cheese-filled Vatrushka Buns are a favorite Slavic dessert. They’re made with sweet and soft yeast dough formed into a ring shape, then filled with a sweet or savory filling.
Vatrushka buns are a favorite Russian bite-sized dessert. They are a common peasant dessert, using whatever fruits or cheese each family had on hand. The center filling can range from cherries, cream cheese with raisins, or this classic farmer’s cheese.
The sweet cheese filling is the star of the show in these tasty vatrushka buns! Egg yolks, farmer’s cheese, sugar, unsalted butter, and sour cream combine to make a tangy yet creamy center. Vatrushka buns are great for on-the-go, breakfast, camping, or road trips, and pair well with coffee or tea for dessert!
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
For the Sweet Yeast Dough:
Flour: The base ingredient for the homemade vatrushka dough, flour is essential for providing structure to the dough.
Egg: Adds richness and acts as a binding agent in the dough.
Milk: Provides moisture to the dough and helps create a tender crumb.
Sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough and filling.
Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and flavor to the dough and filling.
Salt: Balances the sweetness in the dough and enhances the flavor.
Dry Active Yeast: Helps the vatrushka dough rise and gives it a light and fluffy texture.
For the Sweet Cheese Filling:
Egg Yolks: Adds richness and a smooth texture to the Sweet Cheese Filling.
Farmer’s Cheese: A fresh, crumbly cheese that is a staple in Russian cuisine and is the star ingredient in the Sweet Cheese Filling.
Sour Cream: Adds a tangy flavor and creamy texture to the Sweet Cheese Filling.
Egg Wash: A mixture of egg and milk that is brushed on the buns before baking to give them a beautiful golden-brown color.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
How to make Russian Vatrushka Buns with Sweet Cheese Filling:
Step 1: Prepare the Yeast
Add warm milk and yeast into a small bowl and let it stand for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the dough
In a separate, medium-sized bowl, sift the flour, then add the egg, sugar, salt, and melted butter. Give it a light stir. Then, combine the yeast and flour mixes. Mix until the dough turns into a ball. (It should not be sticky.)
Step 3: Let the dough rise
Cover the bowl with a clean towel or some plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for 90 minutes, or 1 + ½ hours. Push the dough down, then let it rise one more time. (Total rise time: 3 hours.)
Step 4: Prepare the sweet cheese filling
While the dough is rising, prepare the cream cheese filling by combining together egg yolks, farmer’s cheese, sugar, melted butter, and sour cream.
Step 5: Prepare the buns for baking
Preheat the oven to 350F.
Grease a large baking sheet using either butter or baking spray, or use parchment paper.
Cut the dough into 20 equal pieces, egg-size. Using a glass cup, press down in the middle of each bun.
In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg and 1 tsp milk. Brush each pastry with this prepared egg wash.
Fill each dough round with the sweet cheese filling.
Step 6: Bake!
Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Expert Tips:
- To achieve a light and fluffy texture in the dough, be sure to let it rise in a warm and draft-free place.
- Use room-temperature ingredients to help the dough come together more easily.
- For a twist on traditional Vatrushka buns, you can add fresh fruit, raisins, or a cherry filling.
- These buns are best enjoyed warm in the oven with a cup of tea or coffee.
FAQs:
Leftover sweet cheese vatrushka buns can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be stored in the fridge for up to a week. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Yes, you can use other types of cheese for the filling, such as ricotta cheese or cottage cheese. However, using farmer’s cheese will give the buns the authentic flavor and texture.
Looking for more classic Slavic recipes? Here are some of my favorites:
An Apple Sharlotka Recipe (Russian Apple Cake) is a great dessert anytime.
This Russian Bird’s Milk Cake Recipe with Chocolate Glaze is perfect for the holidays or when you have company over.
Other Russian Desserts To Try:
If you tried this Russian Sweet Cheese Filling Buns or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
Russian Sweet Cheese Filling Buns (Vatrushka Buns)
Equipment
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Spatula set
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bowl
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hand mixer
Ingredients
For the buns:
- 3¼ cups unbleached flour, I used Canadian flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup milk, 2%, warmed
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 3½ Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp dry active yeast
- 2 egg yolks
For the sweet cheese filling:
- 2 cups farmer's cheese, or ricotta cheese
- 4 Tbsp sugar
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 Tbsp sour cream
For the egg wash:
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp milk
Instructions
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Add warm milk and yeast into a small bowl and let it stand for 5 minutes.1 cup milk,, 2 tsp dry active yeast
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In a separate, medium-sized bowl, sift the flour, then add the egg, sugar, salt, and melted butter. Give it a light stir.3¼ cups unbleached flour,, 1 large egg, 2 Tbsp sugar, ½ tsp salt, 3½ Tbsp unsalted butter,
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Then, combine the yeast and flour mixes. Mix until the dough turns into a ball. (It should not be sticky.)
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Cover the bowl with a clean towel or some plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for 1 + 1/2 hours. Push the dough down, then let it rise one more time.
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While the dough is rising, prepare the cream cheese filling by adding together egg yolks, farmer's cheese, sugar, melted butter, and sour cream.2 egg yolks, 2 cups farmer's cheese,, 4 Tbsp sugar, 3 Tbsp unsalted butter,, 2 Tbsp sour cream
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- Grease a large baking sheet using either butter or baking spray, or use parchment paper.
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Cut the dough into 20 egg-size equal pieces.
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Using a glass cup, press down in the middle of each bun.
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Brush each pastry with the egg wash. (1 large egg+ 1 tsp milk)1 large egg, 1 tsp milk
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Fill each piece with the sweet cheese filling.
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Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to help the dough come together more easily.
- For a twist on traditional Vatrushka buns, you can add fresh fruit, raisins, or a cherry filling.
- These buns are best enjoyed warm from the oven with a cup of tea or coffee.