Cheese Pastry
Cheese Pastry Recipe - A Traditional Dessert with a Holiday Flavor
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 50-60 minutes
Total: 1 hour and 20-90 minutes
Number of servings: 12
Cheese pastry is a traditional Romanian dessert that combines the intense flavor of cheese with the sweetness of raisins and the citrus aroma of lemon and orange. This dish is perfect for holidays, being not only delicious but also a symbol of culinary tradition. Let's follow our passion and prepare a perfect cheese pastry together!
Ingredients for the dough:
- 500 grams of flour
- 25 grams of fresh yeast
- 150 grams of sugar
- Zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange (use only the colored part)
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 egg whites
- 200 ml of cold milk
- 1 teaspoon of rum essence
- 1 vanilla essence
- 100-125 grams of butter (preferably quality butter)
- 1 egg for brushing the top
Ingredients for the filling:
- 500 grams of cottage cheese (choose well-drained cheese to avoid excess moisture)
- 3-4 eggs
- 125 grams of sugar
- 100 grams of mixed raisins (black and golden)
- 2 packets of vanilla sugar
- Zest of lemon
Step-by-step preparation:
1. Preparing the ingredients: Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature, except for the egg whites, which should be cold. This will help achieve a firmer foam.
2. Activating the yeast: In a bowl, dissolve the fresh yeast in the cold milk (200 ml) along with one tablespoon of sugar from the 150 grams. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes until it starts bubbling.
3. Preparing the dough: In another large bowl, combine the flour, the remaining sugar, the lemon and orange zest, the egg yolks, and the rum and vanilla essences. Add the activated yeast and mix well. Melt the butter and add it to the mixture. Knead the dough for 10 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth.
4. Egg whites: Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff. Gently fold them into the dough, mixing with a spatula to keep the air in the mixture.
5. Fermenting the dough: Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in volume.
6. Preparing the filling: In another bowl, mix the well-drained cottage cheese, eggs, sugar, vanilla sugar, lemon zest, and raisins. Ensure the filling is homogeneous.
7. Assembling the pastry: Once the dough has risen, divide it into two parts - one larger for the base and one smaller for the top. Roll out the larger portion into a sheet about 1 cm thick and place it in a baking dish lined with parchment paper. Pour the cheese filling over the dough and then roll out the other part of the dough on top, leaving one part free to create a decorative pattern.
8. Brushing: Beat the remaining egg and brush the surface of the pastry with it to achieve a golden and attractive crust.
9. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C and bake the pastry for 50-60 minutes or until it becomes golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Cooling and serving: Let the pastry cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a rack to cool completely.
Serving suggestion: The pastry is usually served at room temperature but can also be enjoyed slightly warmed, alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a fruit sauce. This cheese pastry recipe is perfect for adding a touch of tradition to festive meals, and each slice will resonate with cherished memories.
Possible variations: You can add melted dark chocolate to the cheese filling or experiment with various types of raisins, such as those flavored with rum or even chopped nuts for an extra texture.
Enjoy this simple and quick cheese pastry recipe and add a touch of tradition to your culinary life!
Ingredients: Dough: - 500 grams of flour - 25 grams of fresh yeast - 150 grams of sugar - Zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange - 2 egg yolks - 2 egg whites - 200 ml of cold milk - 1 tsp of rum essence - 1 vanilla essence - 100-125 grams of butter or margarine (I only use butter) - 1 egg for brushing the dough - 1 tsp of vanilla essence Filling: 500 grams of cottage cheese 3-4 eggs 125 grams of sugar 100 grams of mixed raisins (both black and golden) 2 packets of vanilla sugar Lemon zest (only grate the colored part, avoiding the white part)
