Moldovan doughnuts with cow cheese

Moldovan donuts with cow cheese - a traditional delight, perfect for moments of culinary indulgence! This simple yet flavorful recipe is ideal for preparing on weekends or festive days when you want to bring a touch of tradition into your kitchen.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Resting time: 1 hour
Frying time: 20 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Number of servings: 4-6

The necessary ingredients for Moldovan donuts are:

- 250 g cow cheese (ideally, use fresh, high-quality cheese)
- 250 g flour (for optimal results, use type 000 or 550 flour)
- 200 g margarine (or butter, for a richer taste)
- 120 g powdered sugar (adjustable according to your preferences)
- 2 egg yolks (make sure they are at room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (to slightly increase the volume of the donuts)
- Oil for frying (choose an oil with a high smoke point, such as sunflower or peanut oil)

The preparation of Moldovan donuts begins with an essential step: in the bowl of a mixer or a large container, combine the cow cheese with the powdered sugar. Use a spatula or whisk to homogenize the mixture, ensuring that the cheese becomes creamy and smooth.

Add the egg yolks and mix well. This step will enrich the donuts with a soft texture and delicious taste. Next, incorporate the margarine (or melted butter, if you prefer) and mix until you obtain a homogeneous composition.

In another bowl, sift the flour together with the baking powder, then gradually add the cheese and egg mixture. Use a spatula to incorporate the flour, mixing gently until the dough becomes a uniform mass. It is important not to knead too much, to keep the donuts fluffy.

Cover the obtained dough with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let it rest for one hour. This step is crucial as it allows the gluten to relax, resulting in a finer texture.

After the dough has rested, sprinkle a little flour on a working surface. Roll the dough out to a thickness of about 1 cm. Using a glass or cutter, cut circles from the dough.

For frying, heat the oil in a deep pan. Test the oil temperature by adding a small piece of dough; if it starts to sizzle, the oil is ready. Fry the donuts on each side until golden, about 2-3 minutes. Remove them onto a paper towel to absorb excess oil.

Moldovan donuts can be served plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or alongside fruit jam or a scoop of sour cream. A delicious variation is to accompany them with vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce for a contrast of textures and flavors.

These donuts are a quick and delicious dessert, perfect for enjoying with loved ones. Feel free to experiment with flavors, adding, for example, lemon or orange zest to the dough for an extra touch of freshness. Enjoy your meal!