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Russian sweet vatrushka buns on parchment paper and a white board.
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5 from 1 vote

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.
Total Time2 hours 50 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Desserts, Snack
Cuisine: Russian
Allergy: Nut Free, Vegetarian
Servings: 20
Calories: 177kcal
Author: Marina Rizhkov

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
    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