Cheese pies

Fluffy Cheese Pastries with Goat and Sheep Cheese

Who doesn't love a warm, fluffy dessert filled with delicious filling? Cheese pastries are an excellent choice for any occasion, from a quick snack to a festive meal. With a rich history in traditional cuisine, these delights are perfectly adaptable, and the combination of goat and sheep cheese gives them a unique flavor. Let's discover together how to prepare these wonders!

Preparation time: 1 hour
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 12-15 pastries

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 1 kg 200 g of flour
- 50 g of fresh yeast (or a cube and a pinch from another)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 pinch of salt
- 5 tablespoons of sugar
- 100 ml of oil
- 1 sachet of vanilla sugar
- Zest of 1 lemon (or to taste)
- 400 ml of warm water

For the filling:
- 1 kg of cheese (goat, sheep, or a combination of both, as preferred)
- Sugar to taste (about 7 tablespoons)
- 1 lemon essence
- 4-5 eggs (use 5 if the cheese is firmer)
- 2 sachets of vanilla sugar
- Zest of 1 lemon

For brushing:
- 3-4 egg yolks
- Powdered sugar for decoration

Step by step

1. Preparing the dough
1. Start by sifting the flour into a large bowl, creating a well in the center.
2. Heat the water until it is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast.
3. In the well formed in the flour, add the salt, sugar, vanilla sugar, yeast, and lemon zest.
4. Gradually pour in the warm water, mixing with a fork or your fingers to incorporate the yeast into the flour. Continue to bring flour from the edges until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.
5. Add the eggs and start kneading. The dough should become elastic and fluffy. After the eggs are incorporated, add the oil and continue kneading until the dough no longer sticks to your hands, about 10-15 minutes.
6. Cover the dough with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.

2. Preparing the filling
1. In another bowl, grate the cheese or mash it with a fork to make it finer.
2. Add the eggs, sugar, vanilla sugar, lemon zest, and lemon essence. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous and creamy mixture.

3. Forming the pastries
1. Once the dough has risen, divide it into equal-sized balls (about the size of a hand).
2. Use a rolling pin to roll each ball into a thin sheet.
3. Place a tablespoon of the cheese filling in the center of each sheet and wrap them as preferred: you can form pouches, circles, or even roses if you want to impress your guests.
4. Place the pastries on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Let them rise for another 10 minutes.

4. Baking
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Brush each pastry with egg yolk to achieve a golden and appetizing crust.
3. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until they become golden and fluffy.
4. After they cool slightly, dust them with powdered sugar for an elegant look.

Serving and suggestions
These pastries are delicious both warm and cold. You can serve them with a fragrant tea or a glass of natural yogurt. If you want to add a touch of freshness, you can add some seasonal fruits alongside.

Useful tips
- Hydrating the yeast: Make sure the water is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
- Filling: Experiment with different types of cheese. You can try sweet cow cheese for a fluffier filling.
- Vegan option: You can replace the eggs in the filling with tofu or soy yogurt, resulting in a delicious vegan version.

Nutritional benefits
Goat and sheep cheese are excellent sources of protein and calcium, contributing to bone and muscle health. Additionally, these pastries provide a considerable amount of carbohydrates from the flour, offering energy.

Frequently asked questions
Can I use cheese other than goat or sheep?
Of course! You can use sweet cow cheese or a combination of cheeses for a different flavor.

How long can the pastries be kept?
They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Can I freeze the pastries?
Yes, you can freeze them before baking. Make sure to place them in a suitable container and thaw them before baking.

In conclusion, these pastries are a versatile dessert that will bring you joy in every bite. Try this recipe and enjoy the final result: delicious fluffiness, perfect for any time of the day! Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: Dough: flour (about 1 kg 200 g for me), a cube of yeast (50 g and a pinch from another one I added), 4 eggs, a pinch of salt, 5 teaspoons of sugar, oil (about 100 ml), vanilla sugar (one sachet), lemon zest (not too much as I also added in the cheese filling), warm water (about 400 ml). Filling: about 1 kg of cheese I used (whichever you prefer: sweet, cow, goat, sheep), sugar to taste (about 7 tablespoons I added), lemon essence, 5 eggs (or 4... I used 5 because the cheese was very firm), vanilla sugar (2 sachets), grated lemon zest (about from one lemon). For brushing: about 3-4 egg yolks, powdered sugar for decoration.

 Tags:  cheese pastries cheese pie