The use of cottage cheese or curd cheese in baked goods is common across Europe.

It is a delicious add on. Often flavoured with citrus and with added dried fruit like raisins or currants. You could replace it with mascarpone or ricotta, just make sure it is not too wet.

These vatrushkas are super sweet and soft. Make sure to let them proof properly before you bake them. This will ensure that they are nice and fluffy. If you have to, then let them ferment for longer than the given time, as conditions in your kitchen may be different from my kitchen. Fermentation times in any bread recipe should be taken with a grain of salt.

This recipe makes 6 large vatrushkas. If you would like to make more, then just double or triple the amount of ingredients. Or if you want more smaller ones then divide the dough into more pieces.

Watch the video down below for detailed instructions.

Ingredients

For the dough –

250g (8.8oz) strong white bread flour

1 whole egg

30g (1oz) soft butter

5g (0.17oz) salt

3g (0.1oz) dry yeast or 3x the amount of fresh yeast

20g (0.7oz) sugar

100g (3.5oz) milk at around 8C (46F) if your kitchen is 20 – 23C (68-73F)

To learn more about dough temperature control click here.

For the filling –

250g (8.8oz) cottage cheese (curd cheese)

1 egg white

20g (0.7oz) sugar

30g (1oz) currants or raisins

1 egg yolk mixed with 1 teaspoon of milk for glazing

Method

1. In a bowl add the milk, yeast, salt, sugar, and egg. Mix well to dissolve the sugar & hydrate the yeast.
2. Add the flour and mix until no dry flour left.
3. Tip the dough out on the table and knead for 3 minutes. Add the butter and knead for 3 – 4 minutes. Desired dough temperature 25 – 26C (77-79F). If your dough is cooler, then it may take longer to ferment. If it is warmer, then it may take less time. Keep an eye on it.
4. Cover & proof for 1 hour.
5. Fold.
6. Proof for 1 hour.
7. Divide into 6 equal pieces. Preshape.
8. Rest for 15 minutes.
9. Shape into balls again.
10. Final proof 1 hour or until the dough balls have doubled in size. Preheat your oven to 160C (320F) fan on.
11. Shape the vatruskas and fill with the cottage cheese filling. Brush with the egg + milk glaze.
12. Bake for 25 minutes.

Let them cool down slightly & enjoy!

You could say that I am biased because I grew up in Eastern Europe, but I do think that this is one of the tastiest Christmas breads out there.

It might not have the texture of Italian panettone or the complex flavour of German stollen. But it does make up for it with the simplicity of using basic ingredients and getting the most out of them. Butter, cinnamon and vanilla in the dough give it a nice softness and mild fragrance. The filling made of apples, pears, prunes, and apricots is a combination that works so well.

Make sure to let it rise well before baking. This bread is weighed down by the filling, so leaving it to ferment for a sufficient amount of times is extremely important. If it is not rising, perhaps because you kitchen is cooler, then leave it for another 30 – 60 minutes. You do not want to suffer through the disappointment of a dense loaf, trust me! 

Watch the video down below for detailed instructions.

Ingredients

For the dough –

300g (10.5oz) strong white bread flour

2 egg yolks *cold from the fridge

50g (1.75oz) soft butter

6g (0.2oz) salt

3g (0.1oz) dry yeast or 3x the amount of fresh yeast

40g (1.4oz) sugar

2g (0.07oz) cinnamon

2g (0.07oz) vanilla paste or syrup

140g (5oz) milk at 8C (46F) if your kitchen is between 22-24C (71-75F)

To learn more about dough temperature control click here.

For the filling –

1 large apple, diced

40g (1.4oz) chopped dried prunes

40g (1.4oz) chopped dried pears

40g (1.4oz) chopped dried apricots

30g (1oz) sugar

20g (0.7oz) butter

For the glaze –

150g (5.3oz) icing sugar

2 lemons worth of juice

Couple of drops of vanilla syrup for flavour

Method

1. Combine all the filling ingredients in a small pan & cook on medium heat until thick – around 10 – 15 minutes. Set it aside to cool down completely.
2. In a bowl combine the milk, yeast, salt, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla & egg yolks. Mix to dissolve the sugar and hydrate the yeast.
3. Add the flour and mix to a dough.
4. Knead for 3 minutes. Tear in the butter and knead for another 3 – 4 minutes. Desired dough temperature 26-27C (79-80F).
5. Cover and proof for 1 hour.
6. Fold.
7. Cover and proof for 1 more hour.
8. Roll the dough out to a large rectangle. Spread the filling all over leaving an edge. Roll it up, brush the edge with water and seal it. Shape. See video!
9. Place on a parchment paper covered tray, cover and ferment for 1.5 – 2 hours. During the final hour of fermentation preheat your oven to 160C (320F) fan on. Make sure the loaf has puffed up well before baking. If you must leave it for longer, then do so.
10. Bake for 50 minutes. Or until internal temperature reads above 94C (200F).
11. Make the glaze by adding a drop of vanilla to the icing sugar and then add the lemon juice and mix. Add a few drops of water if needed until you get a runny consistency. Mix until no lumps left.
12. Place the loaf on a rack and spread the sugar glaze all over.

Let it cool down and enjoy!