Print

Vatrushka Buns (Mom’s Recipe) Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 117 reviews

Vatrushka Buns are traditional Eastern European sweet cheese buns featuring a soft, slightly sweet yeast dough filled with a creamy mixture of cream cheese, farmers or cottage cheese, eggs, sugar, and optional golden raisins. These delightful pastries offer a perfect balance of fluffy dough and rich, slightly tangy filling, baked to a golden perfection. This recipe includes detailed steps for making the dough, preparing the cheese filling, shaping the buns, and baking them to achieve a tender and flavorful treat loved by families.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 1 1/2 tbsp active dry yeast
  • 2 cups warm milk (110°F)
  • 1/2 cup sugar (divided)
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 5 cups flour (more as needed depending on brand)
  • 3 tbsp oil (avocado or canola)

Cheese Filling

  • 16 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
  • 16 oz farmers cheese or cottage cheese
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup golden raisins (optional, soaked in boiled water for 10–15 minutes and drained if used)

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the active dry yeast with 2 cups of warm milk (around 110°F) and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let this sit on the counter for 10 minutes until it becomes foamy to activate the yeast.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the 3 eggs, mayonnaise, salt, and the remaining 1/2 cup minus 1 tablespoon of sugar to the yeast mixture. Whisk these together until well combined.
  3. Add Flour and Oil: Gradually incorporate the flour into the wet ingredients using a spatula. Once all the flour is mixed in, add the 3 tablespoons of oil last to enhance dough texture. Attach a dough hook to the stand mixer and knead the dough for at least 10 minutes until it is elastic and soft but not sticky.
  4. First Rise: Cover the dough and leave it to rise in a warm area for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  5. Shape Buns: Once the dough has risen, divide it into 30 equal pieces using a dough or bench scraper. Shape each piece into a flattened ball and place them on parchment-lined baking sheets 2 inches apart. Cover with a towel and allow them to rise again for 30 minutes.
  6. Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, farmers or cottage cheese, 2 eggs, and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. If using golden raisins, ensure they have been soaked and drained before mixing into the filling.
  7. Create Indentions: After the second rise, gently press the center of each dough ball with the bottom of a glass to form a hollow space for the filling. Make sure the buns don’t touch after this step; use two baking sheets if necessary.
  8. Fill Buns: Spoon the prepared cheese filling into each hollow center evenly.
  9. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake one baking sheet of filled buns at a time for approximately 30 minutes or until the buns turn golden brown on top.
  10. Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy these delicious Vatrushka buns warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • The amount of flour may vary depending on the brand and humidity; add gradually until dough is soft and elastic but not sticky.
  • Mayonnaise in the dough helps keep the buns moist and tender.
  • Raisins are optional; if added, soak in boiling water for 10-15 minutes then drain to soften before incorporating into the filling.
  • Use two baking sheets if needed to prevent buns from sticking together when pressing the centers and filling.
  • These buns are best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.

Keywords: Vatrushka, Russian cheese buns, sweet cheese buns, yeast buns, creamy filling, Eastern European pastries

Find it online: https://kochenmitviktoria.com/vatrushka-buns-moms-recipe-recipe/