Vatrushka (Russian Sweet Cheese Buns)

Ingredients

• 250ml warm milk
• 7g active dry yeast
• 60g sugar, plus 2 tbsp for the filling
• 1 egg, plus 1 yolk for brushing
• 50g butter, melted
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 450g all-purpose flour
• 300g tvorog or ricotta, well drained
• 0.5 tsp vanilla extract

Before you cook

• Stir the yeast and a pinch of the sugar into the warm milk and let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
• Whisk in the remaining sugar, the egg, melted butter, and salt.
• Stir in the flour gradually to form a soft dough.
• Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
• Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.
• Mix the drained tvorog with the 2 tablespoons of sugar and the vanilla.

Steps

1. Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces.
2. Shape each piece into a smooth ball and set them on a lined baking tray, spaced apart.
3. Cover and let the balls rise for 20 minutes.
4. Press the center of each ball down with the back of a floured cup to form a wide well, leaving a thick rim.
5. Spoon the cheese filling into each well.
6. Brush the rims with the egg yolk.
7. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20 to 25 minutes until deep golden.
8. Cool on the tray for 10 minutes before serving.