Traditional pasca is a dessert that brings pleasant memories, its enticing aromas being part of the celebration of holidays. With a fluffy texture and delicious filling, pasca is a symbol of tradition and family unity. This recipe will guide you step by step in preparing a perfect pasca, full of flavor and love.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Rising time: 60-90 minutes
Baking time: 60 minutes
Total time: 2 hours
Number of servings: 10-12
Ingredients for the dough:
- 1 kg flour
- 5 egg yolks
- 100 g butter (at room temperature)
- 100 g sour cream (at room temperature)
- 200 g sugar
- 25 g fresh yeast
- 100 ml lukewarm milk (amount may vary)
- 1 essence of rum
- Zest of 1 orange
- A pinch of salt
Ingredients for the filling:
- 1 kg well-drained cottage cheese
- 3 eggs + 2 yolks
- 3 tablespoons thick sour cream
- 250 g powdered sugar
- 100 g raisins
- 2 tablespoons semolina
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 essences of rum
- 2 packets of vanilla sugar
- 2 eggs for brushing
Step-by-step preparation:
1. Preparing the dough:
Start by bringing all the ingredients to room temperature. This is an essential step to achieve a fluffy dough. In a bowl, place the flour and make a well in the center. Rub the yeast with a teaspoon of sugar and a splash of oil until it becomes a paste. Pour the yeast into the well in the flour and let it rise for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix the egg yolks with the sugar until it completely dissolves. Add the butter and mix again. Next, pour the egg yolk mixture over the flour. Add the sour cream, rum essence, orange zest, and salt. Start mixing the ingredients with your hands, then gradually add the lukewarm milk until you obtain a homogeneous dough.
Knead the dough for about 10 minutes. If it feels too sticky, add a little flour. Finally, sprinkle your hands with oil and continue kneading for another 5 minutes. Cover the dough with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for 60-90 minutes until it doubles in volume.
2. Preparing the filling:
Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Soak the raisins in warm water with rum essence for 15-20 minutes, then drain them. In a bowl, beat the eggs (3 whole and 2 yolks) with the powdered sugar until fluffy. Add the cottage cheese, sour cream, lemon zest, vanilla sugar, semolina, and raisins. Mix well, ensuring that all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. Assembling the pasca:
After the dough has risen, divide it into three equal parts. Roll each part into a thin sheet, then place them in greased trays lined with baking paper. Make sure the sheets cover the sides of the trays as well. Fill each tray with the cheese filling, dividing it evenly.
For a decorative look, use the remaining dough to create shapes on top of the filling, such as crosses, birds, or braids. Beat the two eggs and brush the pasca with this mixture to achieve a golden crust.
4. Baking:
Preheat the oven to a medium temperature (about 180°C). Bake the pasca for about 60 minutes, or until golden. It is recommended to check periodically, and if the top browns too quickly, cover it with aluminum foil.
After baking, brush the pasca with a mixture of water, sugar, and a little oil to keep it moist. Cover with paper and towels to protect it, allowing it to cool slowly.
5. Storing and serving:
Once completely cooled, store the pasca in plastic wrap or an airtight container. It is delicious both warm and cold, and the taste remains excellent for a few days. You can serve it alongside fragrant tea or sweet wine to complete the culinary experience.
Useful tips:
- Use well-drained cottage cheese to avoid a too wet filling.
- If you want to vary the recipe, you can add cocoa to the filling for a chocolate flavor or ground nuts for added texture.
- For a more intense flavor, experiment with different essences (vanilla, almond) in the dough or filling of the pasca.
Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use dry yeast? Yes, you can replace fresh yeast with about 10 g of dry yeast, but make sure to activate it according to the instructions on the package.
- Can I freeze the pasca? Yes, the pasca can be frozen. Make sure it is completely cooled before wrapping it in plastic wrap.
- What other recipes can I try during the holidays? You can try filled bread, cozonac, or pies with apple or pumpkin filling.
This traditional pasca recipe is not just a dessert, but a part of our culture and traditions. Each bite will remind you of the moments spent with loved ones. Don't forget to put your personal touch on the recipe by adding a dash of creativity and love. Enjoy!
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Rising time: 60-90 minutes
Baking time: 60 minutes
Total time: 2 hours
Number of servings: 10-12
Ingredients for the dough:
- 1 kg flour
- 5 egg yolks
- 100 g butter (at room temperature)
- 100 g sour cream (at room temperature)
- 200 g sugar
- 25 g fresh yeast
- 100 ml lukewarm milk (amount may vary)
- 1 essence of rum
- Zest of 1 orange
- A pinch of salt
Ingredients for the filling:
- 1 kg well-drained cottage cheese
- 3 eggs + 2 yolks
- 3 tablespoons thick sour cream
- 250 g powdered sugar
- 100 g raisins
- 2 tablespoons semolina
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 essences of rum
- 2 packets of vanilla sugar
- 2 eggs for brushing
Step-by-step preparation:
1. Preparing the dough:
Start by bringing all the ingredients to room temperature. This is an essential step to achieve a fluffy dough. In a bowl, place the flour and make a well in the center. Rub the yeast with a teaspoon of sugar and a splash of oil until it becomes a paste. Pour the yeast into the well in the flour and let it rise for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix the egg yolks with the sugar until it completely dissolves. Add the butter and mix again. Next, pour the egg yolk mixture over the flour. Add the sour cream, rum essence, orange zest, and salt. Start mixing the ingredients with your hands, then gradually add the lukewarm milk until you obtain a homogeneous dough.
Knead the dough for about 10 minutes. If it feels too sticky, add a little flour. Finally, sprinkle your hands with oil and continue kneading for another 5 minutes. Cover the dough with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for 60-90 minutes until it doubles in volume.
2. Preparing the filling:
Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Soak the raisins in warm water with rum essence for 15-20 minutes, then drain them. In a bowl, beat the eggs (3 whole and 2 yolks) with the powdered sugar until fluffy. Add the cottage cheese, sour cream, lemon zest, vanilla sugar, semolina, and raisins. Mix well, ensuring that all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. Assembling the pasca:
After the dough has risen, divide it into three equal parts. Roll each part into a thin sheet, then place them in greased trays lined with baking paper. Make sure the sheets cover the sides of the trays as well. Fill each tray with the cheese filling, dividing it evenly.
For a decorative look, use the remaining dough to create shapes on top of the filling, such as crosses, birds, or braids. Beat the two eggs and brush the pasca with this mixture to achieve a golden crust.
4. Baking:
Preheat the oven to a medium temperature (about 180°C). Bake the pasca for about 60 minutes, or until golden. It is recommended to check periodically, and if the top browns too quickly, cover it with aluminum foil.
After baking, brush the pasca with a mixture of water, sugar, and a little oil to keep it moist. Cover with paper and towels to protect it, allowing it to cool slowly.
5. Storing and serving:
Once completely cooled, store the pasca in plastic wrap or an airtight container. It is delicious both warm and cold, and the taste remains excellent for a few days. You can serve it alongside fragrant tea or sweet wine to complete the culinary experience.
Useful tips:
- Use well-drained cottage cheese to avoid a too wet filling.
- If you want to vary the recipe, you can add cocoa to the filling for a chocolate flavor or ground nuts for added texture.
- For a more intense flavor, experiment with different essences (vanilla, almond) in the dough or filling of the pasca.
Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use dry yeast? Yes, you can replace fresh yeast with about 10 g of dry yeast, but make sure to activate it according to the instructions on the package.
- Can I freeze the pasca? Yes, the pasca can be frozen. Make sure it is completely cooled before wrapping it in plastic wrap.
- What other recipes can I try during the holidays? You can try filled bread, cozonac, or pies with apple or pumpkin filling.
This traditional pasca recipe is not just a dessert, but a part of our culture and traditions. Each bite will remind you of the moments spent with loved ones. Don't forget to put your personal touch on the recipe by adding a dash of creativity and love. Enjoy!