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Nut Free
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Vegetarian
Russian Sweet Cheese Filling Buns (Vatrushka Buns)
Vatrushka Buns are somewhat similar to a cheese danish or a brioche bun. Made with sweet and soft yeast dough formed into a ring shape, then filled with a sweet or savory filling. Vatrushka buns are great for on the go, breakfast, camping or road trips and pair well with coffee or tea.
A lot of traditional Slavic recipes contain dough with some filling. Whether it’s savory pelemeni or piroshki, maybe even everyone’s favorite blinchiki, always the classic recipe consists of a tasty filling.
How perfect: this recipe is one of those that’s super versatile with the filling too! Of course, it leans into the sweet topping side with cherries, sweet cheese, cream cheese, and jam. Even then, don’t hesitate to explore with different sweet fillings.
Table of Contents
Vatrushka Filling Options
There are other filling options for these Vatrushka even though the sweet cheese filling made with is the best choice for this recipe. You can definitely make these pastries with different kinds of fillings such as:
- cherry pie filling that you would use in a pie
- cream cheese
- sweet cheese filling with added raisins
- jam
How Do I make the Sweet Cheese Filling?
The most popular filling for a vatrushka buns is the sweet farmers cheese filling. Along with farmers cheese, mix together sour cream, egg yolk, melted unsalted butter, and sugar.
Where can I find Farmers Cheese?
Farmers cheese can be found in the dairy section of most grocery stores now a days. I know Whole Foods cares it or you can buy online here.
Can I substitute Farmers Cheese for Vatrushka Recipe?
You may substitute farmers cheese to Ricotta cheese, it will be slightly different in tasty, but very similar.
What do I need to make Vatrushka Buns?
Vatrushka is made with an enriched yeast dough. You will need Unbleached flour, an egg, warm milk, sugar, salt, unsalted butter and dry active yeast.
How long does the dough need to rise for?
Dough for vatrushka needs around two hours to rise. 1 1/2hours the first time, and then about another half hour till it rises back up.
Can I Make Vatrushka Dough in a Bread Machine?
Yes! This is my favorite option, because its simpler. Add all the ingredients into the bread machine and choose the dough option.
Should I Use a Stand Mixer Attachment for the Dough?
Great idea if you have one. Yes, you can use the dough attachment to mix the dough.
How to Store Vatrushka
Vatrushka buns are best served warm and fresh, but can be kept in an air tight container for up to 2 days.
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.
Russian Sweet Cheese Filling Buns (Vatrushka Buns)
Equipment
- Spatula set
- bowl
- 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
- Add warm milk and yeast into a small bowl and let it stand for 5 minutes.1 cup milk,, 2 tsp dry active yeast
- 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,
- Then, combine the yeast and flour mixes. Mix until the dough turns into a ball. (It should not be sticky.)
- 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.
- While the dough is rising, prepare the cream cheese filling by adding together egg yolks, farmer's cheese, sugar, melted unsalted 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.
- Cut the dough into 20 egg-size equal pieces.
- Using a glass cup, press down in the middle of each bun.
- Brush each pastry with the egg wash. (1 large egg+ 1 tsp milk)1 large egg, 1 tsp milk
- Fill each piece with the sweet cheese filling.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.