Zagorski Štrukli
A traditional dish from the Zagorje region of northern Croatia, Zagorski Štrukli are a type of baked or boiled strudel with a cottage cheese filling. They can be served as a savory appetizer or a sweet dessert.
🧂 Ingredients
- 300 g All-purpose flour
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tsp Salt
- 150 ml Lukewarm water
- 500 g Cottage cheese(drained)
- 150 g Sour cream
- 1 large Egg yolk
- 0.5 tsp Salt
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper
- 50 g Butter(for greasing and topping)
- 200 ml Heavy cream(for baking)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
For the dough: Combine flour, egg, salt, and lukewarm water in a bowl. Knead until a smooth, elastic dough forms.
💡 Tip: Add more water if needed, but the dough should not be sticky. - 2
Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- 3
For the filling: In a separate bowl, mix cottage cheese, sour cream, egg yolk, salt, and pepper.
💡 Tip: Ensure the cottage cheese is well-drained to avoid a watery filling. - 4
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough very thinly.
💡 Tip: The thinner the dough, the better the štrukli. - 5
Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border.
💡 Tip: Do not overfill, as it can make rolling difficult. - 6
Carefully roll up the dough tightly, like a strudel. Pinch the ends to seal.
💡 Tip: Roll gently to avoid tearing the dough. - 7
Cut the roll into slices about 2-3 cm thick.
- 8
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a baking dish with butter.
- 9
Arrange the štrukli in the baking dish. Pour the heavy cream over them and dot with butter.
💡 Tip: Ensure the cream covers most of the štrukli for a moist result. - 10
Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
- 11
Serve hot, either as a savory dish or dusted with powdered sugar for a sweet version.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a savory version, you can add finely chopped chives or parsley to the filling.
- ✓If you prefer boiled štrukli, cook them in boiling salted water for about 10-15 minutes until they float. Then drain and toss with melted butter or sour cream.
- ✓Ensure the dough is very thin for the best texture.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of nutmeg to the filling for a warmer flavor.
- Serve with a side of roasted meat for a complete meal.
- For a sweeter variation, add a tablespoon of sugar to the filling and serve with fruit compote.