Fluffy red-haired girls
Recipe for Fluffy and Soft Urdai Cakes
If you are looking for a traditional delight filled with cottage cheese and dill, Urdai cakes are the perfect choice! These soft and fluffy treats, inspired by mom's recipes, are suitable for a hearty breakfast or a savory dessert. I will provide you with all the necessary details to prepare these goodies at home, step by step, with useful tricks and tips.
General Information:
- Preparation time: 20 minutes
- Rising time: 1 hour
- Baking time: 30 minutes
- Total: 1 hour and 50 minutes
- Number of servings: 20 Urdai cakes
Ingredients:
*For the dough:*
- 1 kg of flour
- 40 g fresh yeast
- 7 tablespoons of oil
- 7 tablespoons of sugar
- 4 eggs (plus 1 for brushing)
- 320 ml lukewarm milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 3 sachets of vanilla sugar
*For the filling:*
- 700 g fresh cottage cheese
- 2 eggs
- A pinch of salt
- 2 sachets of vanilla sugar
- 6 tablespoons of sugar
- Chopped fresh dill (to taste)
Preparation:
1. Preparing the dough: Start by adding all the dough ingredients into the bread machine, following your model's instructions, using the kneading and rising program. This will make the dough fluffy and well-aerated. Make sure the milk is lukewarm, as this activates the yeast.
2. Preparing the filling: In a bowl, mix the fresh cottage cheese with the eggs, sugar, a pinch of salt, and vanilla sugar. Use a fork or spatula to combine the ingredients well until you get a creamy mixture. Add the finely chopped dill, mixing gently to avoid crushing the cottage cheese.
3. Shaping the Urdai cakes: Once the dough has risen, sprinkle flour on a clean surface and roll out the dough to about 0.5 cm thick. Cut it into 12x12 cm squares. In the center of each square, place 2 teaspoons of the filling mixture. Gather the corners of the square and seal them well, forming a small fluffy pouch.
4. Second rising: Place the Urdai cakes on a greased and floured baking tray, leaving enough space between them to rise. Cover the tray with a clean towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
5. Baking: Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius. Beat the fifth egg and carefully brush the Urdai cakes with the beaten egg for a golden and appetizing crust. Bake the Urdai cakes for 30 minutes or until they become golden and fluffy.
Useful tips:
- Flour: Make sure to use quality flour, preferably type 550, which will contribute to the fluffy texture of the dough.
- Yeast: If you don't have fresh yeast, you can use 14 g of dry yeast. Make sure to activate it in lukewarm milk before adding it to the dough.
- Filling: You can experiment with various herbs, such as dill, to add extra flavor. You can also replace cottage cheese with ricotta for a different variation.
- Storage: If you have leftover Urdai cakes, store them in an airtight container or a plastic bag. The next day they will be even fluffier!
Serving and combinations:
Urdai cakes can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature. I suggest serving them with a spoonful of sour cream or yogurt for a creamy contrast. You can also pair them with fragrant tea or natural fruit juice.
Nutritional benefits:
These Urdai cakes are an excellent source of protein due to the cottage cheese filling, and dill will provide you with a dose of essential vitamins and minerals. Whole flour, if you choose to use it, will add extra fiber.
Frequently asked questions:
1. *Can I use another type of cheese for the filling?* Yes, you can use feta cheese or cottage cheese, but make sure to adjust the salt amount according to taste.
2. *How can I make the Urdai cakes sweeter?* You can add more sugar to the filling or sprinkle powdered sugar on top after baking.
3. *Can Urdai cakes be frozen?* Yes, Urdai cakes can be frozen. Place them in an airtight container and keep them in the freezer. When you want to consume them, let them thaw at room temperature and reheat them in the oven.
Now that you have all the necessary information, all that's left is to grab the fresh ingredients and enjoy a culinary experience full of flavor! I invite you to share the results with your loved ones and create beautiful memories around the table. Enjoy your meal!
Ingredients: 1 kg flour, 40 g yeast, 7 tablespoons oil, 7 tablespoons sugar, 4 eggs + 1 for brushing, 320 ml milk, 1 teaspoon salt, zest from 2 lemons, 3 vanilla pods. Filling: 700 g fresh ricotta, 2 eggs, a pinch of salt (a knife tip), 2 vanilla pods, 6 tablespoons sugar, chopped green marjoram.
