Russian Vatrushka Sweet Cheese Buns

Name: Russian Vatrushka Sweet Cheese Buns
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Russian
Ingredients: 1.5 whole Active Dry Yeast; 2 cups All-Purpose Flour; 1 whole Eggs; 2 cups Farmer's Cheese; 0.5 cup Milk; 1 pinch Salt; 2 tbsp Sour Cream; 1 pinch Sugar; 0.25 cup Unsalted Butter; 1 tsp Vanilla Extract; 1 tsp Vegetable Oil

Breakfast 🍳Dessert 🍰Snack 🍿 Russian 🇷🇺 Low-Carb Low-Sodium Vegetarian 🥦Halal 🕌Kosher ✡️Comfort-Food Pescatarian 🐟

Russian Vatrushka Sweet Cheese Buns feature soft, lightly sweet yeasted dough cradling a creamy farmer’s cheese center with hints of vanilla. The filling bakes up rich and tangy, contrasting the tender crumb for a balanced bite. Serve warm for breakfast or as an afternoon treat with tea or coffee, when you want something comforting yet not overly sweet.

Prep30 mins
Cook15 mins
Serves12
DifficultyMedium

1

Dissolve the yeast and 1 pinch sugar in warm milk in a bowl. Let it sit until the yeast softens and forms a creamy foam, 5 to 10 minutes.
2

Sift the flour into a large bowl; make a well in the center. Add the yeast mixture, butter, salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, egg, and 2 tablespoons sugar. Mix gently until a dough comes together.
3

Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead until it is pliable and no longer sticky, about 5 minutes. Move it to a greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp kitchen towel and set in a warm place until doubled, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Punch the dough down, cover again, and let it rise until doubled a second time, about 1 hour.
4

Grease a baking sheet with oil.
5

Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Cut each portion into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten each ball lightly and let rise for 20 minutes.
6

Mix the farmer's cheese, egg, 2 tablespoons sugar, sour cream, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in a bowl for the filling.
7

Use a water glass to press an indentation in the center of each dough piece for the filling. Spoon the filling into the indentation and brush with egg yolk. Repeat with the remaining dough pieces and filling. Cover and let rise for 20 to 25 minutes.
8

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
9

Bake in the preheated oven until golden, 15 to 20 minutes.