dessert

Sweet Farmer's Cheese Donuts

Name: Sweet Farmer's Cheese Donuts
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 12–15 donuts
Cuisine: dessert
Ingredients: [Dough]; 3 tbsp (45 ml) vegetable oil; 1/2 cup (120 ml) water; 1.5–2 cups (190–250 g) all-purpose flour, as needed; Pinch of salt; [Filling]; 200–250 g farmer's cheese (tvorog), pressed and sieved; 1 egg; Sugar to taste

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Prep

20 minutes

Cook

15 minutes

Total

35 min

Serves

12–15 donuts

Golden, fried, and soft through the middle, these farmer's cheese donuts taste like something between a donut and a pierogi. The wrapper crisps fast in the oil and the sweet curd filling stays warm inside.

Ingredients

[Dough]
3 tbsp (45 ml) vegetable oil
1/2 cup (120 ml) water
1.5–2 cups (190–250 g) all-purpose flour, as needed
Pinch of salt
[Filling]
200–250 g farmer's cheese (tvorog), pressed and sieved
1 egg
Sugar to taste

Instructions

1
Mix the oil, water, and salt. Stir in flour gradually until a soft, smooth dough forms that doesn't stick to your hands.
2
Mash the farmer's cheese with the egg and sugar until smooth.
3
Roll the dough out into two large thin sheets.
4
Place small spoonfuls of filling across one sheet, evenly spaced. Cover with the second sheet.
5
Use a round cutter or glass to punch out filled circles, pressing the edges to seal.
6
Fry in hot oil until puffed and golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towel and dust with powdered sugar.

Cook's Note

Squeeze excess liquid from the farmer's cheese before mixing the filling, wet tvorog makes the donuts blow open in the oil and the cheese spills out. You want it as dry as possible.

Best Served With

Powdered sugar dusted generously on top. Also good with a spoonful of jam or sour cream.

Why This Recipe Works

A simple unleavened dough made with oil stays flexible and thin without any resting time. No yeast, no rise, just enough fat to keep the wrapper pliable while you work, and it crisps quickly in hot oil.

Make It Yours

Mix lemon zest or a handful of raisins into the cheese filling.
Swap the sugar in the filling for a spoonful of honey.
Add a pinch of vanilla to the filling.

Leftover Strategy

Best eaten fresh. Reheat in the oven at 180 °C (350 °F) for 5 minutes to bring the crispness back.

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Pairing

Hot black tea or fruit tea. The warmth pairs well with freshly fried pastry.