Vatrushka

I have seen this cheese bread shown often during the Olympics. I figured I would have to make it since I love cheese. I actually thought it would be similar to our cheese bread. No, it is not like our gooey Italian cheese bread. My husband was very surprised and said it's sweet. It is actually sweet like a danish but not as sweet as the danishes found in the store. I've seen recipes that call for yeast but I decided to go with this version. Some recipes have raisins in them. Others have the bread topped with sprinkles and powdered sugar. It would be an easy addition to serve at a meal.

Vatrushka Russian Cheese Bread
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vinegar

1 egg yolk whisked for the top

Cheese filling:
1/3 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp sour cream
1 egg
pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
2.  In a large bowl, combine the milk, vegetable oil, sugar, and egg.
3. Add the flour and salt. Mix to combine.
4. In a small cup, combine the baking soda and vinegar.
5. Immediately add the baking soda mixture to the flour mixture. Mix until a form of dough forms.
6. Divide the dough into 8 balls.
7. Place the balls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. With the bottom of a floured cup, press the cup into the ball of dough to form a well. 
9. Lightly brush the edges of the dough with the egg yolk.
10. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, sugar, sour cream, egg, and salt. Mix to incorporate. 
11. Add the cheese mixture into the center of the dough. Do not overfill.
12. Bake the dough for about 18 minutes or until golden brown.

Recipe adapted from hep-i-book'a.

One year ago................................I made Macerated Strawberries.
Two years ago..............................I made Mexican Chocolate Cake.

Did you already know.................
-Vatrushka often have raisins and other dried fruit in them.
-Vatrushka is popular in Eastern Europe.
-Vatrushka derives it's name from 'vatra' which means fire.