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Syrniki Recipe (Farmer's Cheese Pancakes)

Syrniki served on a white plate and honey.
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Syrniki, also sirniki (plural), are soft and fluffy cheese pancakes of Eastern European origin made from farmer's cheese. Served with sour cream and fruit preserves, they make a delightful breakfast. 

Ingredients

Scale
  • 14 oz. (400 g) farmer's cheese, well-drained
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 sachet (9 g) vanilla sugar (optional)
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 3-4 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Place the farmer's cheese in a mixing bowl, and add egg, flour, salt, and sugar. Mix the ingredients with a fork, spatula, or potato masher, and stir until the batter (better called dough) becomes sticky. It will be thick enough, much thicker than the regular American pancake batter. To test, take the pancake dough in your hand and slightly squeeze it in your palm. If the dough holds its shape, it is of the right consistency and is ready.
  2. To shape syrniki, sift some flour on the working surface for coating. There are three ways to shape syrniki pancakes. #1 Take the dough (about 2 oz. / 50 g) with damp hands (wet your hands in cold water or oil) and shape it into a small ball. Place it on a floured surface and flatten it into a small patty about 1/2″ thick with your hand. Roll in flour, coating the pancake on all sides. Set aside and continue with the remaining pancakes. #2 Use a quarter-cup cookie scoop or an ice cream scoop to portion your pancakes. Place the dough scoop on the floured surface and roll it up with your hand in a circular motion, gently pulling the ball along (like shaping a dinner roll). Pat the dough down with your hand, and cover it with flour. #3: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently shape it into a log, like a thick sausage (2 inches/5 cm in diameter). Use a knife or bench scraper to cut the dough into even pieces 1/2 inch (1.2-1.5 cm) thick. Cover each cut piece with the flour, and shape each pancake using a glass or a round cookie cutter of a larger diameter.
  3. To fry, pour the vegetable oil into a frying pan and heat it. Transfer each syrnik to the pan using a spatula. Fry syrniki (3-4 at a time) over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes on each side, until golden. Use a flexible turner to help turn the pancakes. You may need to add more oil as you go. Expert tip: The higher your syrnik, the less heat you should use and the longer it takes to fry. You may need to cover the pan with a lid and fry the second side (after it turns golden) for 1-1.5 minutes longer.
  4. Remove the fried syrniki from the pan and place them on a plate covered with a paper towel to absorb the excess oil.
  5. Serve cheese pancakes hot with sour cream, whipped cream, sweetened condensed milk, jam preserves, or fresh fruit. You can eat them cold if desired.

Notes

  1. Make sure to coat the pancakes well with flour before frying. They should have a puck-like shape and be dredged in flour.
  2. Ensure your farmer's cheese is dry before you start. If it is too runny, you will need to use more flour, which will result in losing the authentic taste of cheese-filled pancakes. As a solution, drain the farmer's cheese well.
  3. Use a food processor for a few seconds to evenly crumble the farmer's cheese. Then proceed with the recipe, mixing ingredients with a fork.
  4. To keep pancakes in a nice shape, place them in a single layer in the freezer for 10 minutes before frying.
  5. Store syrniki in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
  6. The calorie count is calculated per 1 syrnik and does not include the frying oil since its amount will vary depending on the oil used, cooking time, and temperature. 

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.bakinglikeachef.com/syrniki-recipe-farmers-cheese-pancakes/