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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.

Russian sweet vatrushka buns on parchment paper on a baking sheet.

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!

Key Ingredients

Russian sweet cheese filling vatrushka buns ingredients with labels eggs yeast butter sugar sour cream salt farmers cheese milk and flour.

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.

Yeast in a glass bowl.

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.)

A bowl of ingredients for Russian vatrushka buns and a bowl of vatrushka buns dough.

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.)

A bowl of Russian vatrushka bun dough covered with a towel.

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.

Sweet cheese filling for Russian vatrushka buns in a bowl with a spoon.

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.

A baking sheet with Russian vatrushki dough balls.

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.

A baking sheet of raw Russian vatrushki buns with eggs wash and sweet cheese filling.

Step 6: Bake!

Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Russian sweet vatrushka buns on parchment paper on a baking sheet.

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: 

How do I store leftover sweet cheese vatrushka buns?

Store leftover sweet cheese vatrushka buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Alternatively, store in the fridge for up to a week. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

Can I use other types of cheese instead of farmer’s cheese for the filling?

Yes, feel free to 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.

Russian sweet vatrushka buns on parchment paper and a white board.

Looking for more classic Slavic recipes? Here are some of my favorites:

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 vatrushka buns on parchment paper and a white board.

Russian Sweet Cheese Filling Buns (Vatrushka Buns)

Sweet buns are somewhere between a brioche and a cheese danish, made with a sweet simple dough recipe and stuffed with cheese filling.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Breakfast, Desserts, Snack
Cuisine: Russian
Allergy: Nut Free, Vegetarian
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings20
Calories: 177kcal
Author: Marina Rizhkov

Equipment

  • Spatula set
  • bowl
  • hand mixer

Ingredients

For the buns:

  • cups unbleached flour, I used Canadian flour
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup milk, 2%, warmed
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 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
    Yeast in a glass bowl.
  • 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,
    Ingredients for Russian vatrushka bun dough in a glass bowl.
  • Then, combine the yeast and flour mixes. Mix until the dough turns into a ball. (It should not be sticky.)
    Dough for Russian vatrushka buns in a glass bowl.
  • 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.
    A bowl of Russian vatrushka bun dough covered with a towel.
  • 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
    Sweet cheese filling for Russian vatrushka buns in a bowl with a spoon.
  • 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.
    Dough for Russian sweet vatrushka buns on a baking sheet.
  • Using a glass cup, press down in the middle of each bun.
    Russian vatrushka bun dough on a baking tray.
  • Brush each pastry with the egg wash. (1 large egg+ 1 tsp milk)
    1 large egg, 1 tsp milk
    Russian vatrushka bun dough on a baking tray.
  • Fill each piece with the sweet cheese filling.
    Raw Russian vatrushka buns with sweet cheese filling on a baking tray.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
    Baked Russian vatrushka buns on a baking tray.

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 167mg | Potassium: 61mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 191IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg
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5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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