Description
These soft and pillowy Ukrainian buns are filled with a creamy cheese filling, sweet blueberry preserves, and topped with a buttery streusel. Perfect for a special breakfast, brunch, or dessert! These vatrushka buns will fill your home with a warm, comforting aroma. Enjoy them with a cup of tea or coffee for an unforgettable treat!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Yeast Dough:
- 1 cup whole milk (heated to 120°F–130°F)
- 1 1/2 tbsp dry active yeast
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs + 2 egg yolks
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
For the Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups farmer’s cheese (tvorog)
- 1/3 cup blueberry preserves or other berry jam
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed and chilled
- 1 tbsp cream
Additional:
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Yeast Dough
- Activate the Yeast: Heat the milk to 120°F–130°F and pour it into a large mixing bowl. Whisk in the sugar and sprinkle the yeast over the top. Mix lightly and let proof for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the salt, vanilla extract, eggs, egg yolks, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Whisk until smooth.
- Mix the Flour: Gradually add the flour, mixing well after each addition. Once the dough begins to form, switch to kneading.
- Knead the Dough: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 12–15 minutes by hand, or 20 minutes with a stand mixer until smooth and elastic.
Step 2: First Proofing
- Proof the Dough: Place the dough in a large bowl, cover it with a towel, and set it in a warm spot to rise for 1 ½ to 2 hours until doubled in size. Keep the dough warm by placing the bowl over a pot of boiling water (without touching the water).
Step 3: Shape the Buns
- Divide and Shape: Once the dough has doubled in size, divide it into 16 equal portions. Shape them into smooth balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Create Wells: Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to create a well in the center of each bun.
Step 4: Prepare the Cheese Filling
- Make the Filling: In a bowl, combine cream cheese, egg, sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and farmer’s cheese. Mix until smooth and creamy.
Step 5: Fill the Buns
- Fill the Buns: Spoon a generous amount of cheese filling into each well. Top with a dollop of blueberry preserves.
Step 6: Prepare the Streusel Topping
- Make the Streusel: Combine flour and sugar in a bowl. Add the cubed butter and use your fingers to crumble it until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add the cream and mix lightly.
Step 7: Second Proofing
- Proof Again: Allow the filled buns to proof for 20–30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 8: Bake
- Brush with Egg Wash: Brush the edges of the buns with the beaten egg.
- Sprinkle Streusel: Top each bun with the streusel mixture.
- Bake the Buns: Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Step 9: Cool and Serve
- Cool: Let the buns cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the dough the night before and store it in the fridge overnight. Just allow it to come to room temperature before shaping and baking.
- Freezing: You can freeze the unbaked, filled buns for later. Let them thaw and complete the second proofing and baking.
- Fruit Variations: If you prefer, you can substitute blueberry preserves with other fruit jams, like raspberry or strawberry, to create different variations.
- For a Dairy-Free Option: You can substitute the cream cheese and farmer’s cheese with dairy-free alternatives, such as coconut cream cheese and tofu-based ricotta.
- Sweetness Adjustments: Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar in the filling depending on your sweetness preference.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Ukrainian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg