To prepare these delicious cheese pastries, start by sifting flour into a deep bowl. This step is essential, as aerating the flour will contribute to a fluffier texture of the dough. Then, take a small amount of yeast and mix it with 2 tablespoons of warm milk and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let this mixture sit for a few minutes until the yeast starts to bubble, a sign that it is active and ready to help the dough rise.
Once the starter has risen, pour it over the flour in the bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let it sit for 15-20 minutes, so the yeast can do its job. Now, it’s time to add the rest of the milk, eggs, sugar, salt, and vanilla essence or lemon zest, depending on your preferences. Use a spoon to mix the composition well, ensuring that all ingredients blend perfectly.
After you have obtained a homogeneous mixture, add the melted butter and continue mixing. Now comes the kneading of the dough. This step is crucial: knead the dough for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes soft and elastic, and its texture feels smooth to the touch. Then, place the dough in a bowl and cover it with a damp towel, letting it rise in a warm place for about an hour.
Meanwhile, prepare the cheese filling. In a bowl, mix the cottage cheese with 4 tablespoons of sugar, 1 egg, and vanilla essence or lemon zest. Make sure all ingredients are well combined, achieving a creamy and flavorful paste. Once the dough has risen and doubled in volume, roll it out on a floured surface, forming a square sheet. Cut the dough into smaller squares, about 8-10 cm on each side.
On each square of dough, place a teaspoon of the cheese filling. Then, form the pastries by folding opposite corners of the squares together, ensuring they are well sealed to prevent the filling from leaking during baking. Place the pastries on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them to allow for expansion. Bake them in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden and fluffy. Let them cool slightly before enjoying, to savor every delicious bite!
Once the starter has risen, pour it over the flour in the bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let it sit for 15-20 minutes, so the yeast can do its job. Now, it’s time to add the rest of the milk, eggs, sugar, salt, and vanilla essence or lemon zest, depending on your preferences. Use a spoon to mix the composition well, ensuring that all ingredients blend perfectly.
After you have obtained a homogeneous mixture, add the melted butter and continue mixing. Now comes the kneading of the dough. This step is crucial: knead the dough for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes soft and elastic, and its texture feels smooth to the touch. Then, place the dough in a bowl and cover it with a damp towel, letting it rise in a warm place for about an hour.
Meanwhile, prepare the cheese filling. In a bowl, mix the cottage cheese with 4 tablespoons of sugar, 1 egg, and vanilla essence or lemon zest. Make sure all ingredients are well combined, achieving a creamy and flavorful paste. Once the dough has risen and doubled in volume, roll it out on a floured surface, forming a square sheet. Cut the dough into smaller squares, about 8-10 cm on each side.
On each square of dough, place a teaspoon of the cheese filling. Then, form the pastries by folding opposite corners of the squares together, ensuring they are well sealed to prevent the filling from leaking during baking. Place the pastries on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them to allow for expansion. Bake them in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden and fluffy. Let them cool slightly before enjoying, to savor every delicious bite!
Ingredients
Dough ingredients: 500 g flour 240 ml milk 1 cube of fresh yeast 2 eggs 60 g butter 90 g sugar 1 pinch of salt dash of salt seasoning to taste Ingredients for the cottage cheese filling: 350 g well drained cottage cheese 150 g sugar 1 egg lemon zest 1 egg yolk + 2 tablespoons milk (for the greasing)