Virtinukai su Varške ir Razinomis (Sweet Cheese Dumplings with Raisins)
Delicate, tender dumplings filled with a sweet and creamy farmer's cheese mixture, studded with plump raisins. These are a beloved comfort food, often served as a sweet breakfast or a light dessert, typically accompanied by sour cream, jam, or powdered sugar.
🧂 Ingredients
- 300 g All-purpose flour(plus more for dusting)
- 100 ml Water(lukewarm)
- 1 large Egg(for the dough)
- 0.5 tsp Salt
- 400 g Farmer's cheese (varškė)(dry and crumbly, full-fat preferred)
- 2 tbsp Sugar(for the filling)
- 1 Egg yolk(for the filling)
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 50 g Raisins or sultanas
- for serving Sour cream
- for serving Powdered sugar
- for serving Jam or berry coulis
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the dough: In a bowl, combine flour and salt. Make a well in the center. Pour in the lukewarm water and the egg. Mix with a spoon or in a stand mixer until a cohesive dough forms. Knead on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rest for 20-30 minutes.
- 2
Prepare the filling: In a separate bowl, mash the farmer's cheese until smooth. Stir in the sugar, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and raisins. Mix well. If the cheese is very wet, you can drain off excess liquid.
- 3
Assemble the dumplings: Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 2mm thickness. Use a 2-inch (5cm) round cutter or glass to cut out circles. Place about 1 teaspoon of filling in the center of each circle. Moisten the edges of the dough with water, fold into a half-moon shape, and press the edges firmly to seal.
- 4
Cook the dumplings: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Carefully add the dumplings in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until they float to the surface and the dough is cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon.
- 5
Serve: Serve the dumplings warm, topped with sour cream, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a spoonful of jam or berry coulis.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the farmer's cheese is relatively dry for easier handling of the dough.
- ✓Don't overfill the dumplings, as they can be difficult to seal.
- ✓If the dough becomes too sticky while rolling, add a little more flour.
🔄 Variations
- For a savory version, omit the sugar and vanilla from the filling and add herbs like dill or chives.
- Substitute dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots for the raisins.