Farmer's Cheese Dumplings (Vareniki)

Name: Farmer's Cheese Dumplings (Vareniki)
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Ukrainian
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting; 1 large egg, beaten; 2/3 cup warm water; 1/2 tsp salt (for dough); 2 cups farmer's cheese or dry-curd cottage cheese; 2 large egg yolk (for filling); 2 tbsp granulated sugar; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1/4 tsp salt (for filling); 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 1/2 cup sour cream; 2 tsp salt (for boiling water)

Pillowy Ukrainian dumplings filled with sweetened farmer's cheese (tvorog), boiled until tender, and finished with melted butter and a dollop of sour cream.

65 minMediumServes 4360 cal/serving

UkrainianDinnerStovetopVegetarianNut-FreePork-FreeNightshade-Free

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Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 large egg, beaten
2/3 cup warm water
1/2 tsp salt (for dough)
2 cups farmer's cheese or dry-curd cottage cheese
2 large egg yolk (for filling)
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt (for filling)
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tsp salt (for boiling water)

Instructions

1

Make the dough: combine 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting), 1/2 tsp salt (for dough), 1 beaten large egg, and 2/3 cup warm water. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 5 minutes until smooth. Wrap and rest 20 minutes.
2

Make the filling: combine 2 cups farmer's cheese or dry-curd cottage cheese, 2 large egg yolk (for filling), 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/4 tsp salt (for filling). Mix until smooth.
3

Roll the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut 3-inch rounds with a cutter or glass.
4

Place about 1 teaspoon of filling in the center of each circle. Fold into half-moons and pinch the edges firmly sealed.
5

Bring a large pot of water to a boil with 2 tsp salt (for boiling water). Boil vareniki in batches for 4-5 minutes until they float and the dough is cooked through.
6

Remove with a slotted spoon and toss immediately with 2 tbsp unsalted butter. Serve with 1/2 cup sour cream.

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Questions

What is Farmer's Cheese Dumplings (Vareniki)?

Pillowy Ukrainian dumplings filled with sweetened farmer's cheese (tvorog), boiled until tender, and finished with melted butter and a dollop of sour cream. This reference files it under Ukrainian dinner: made on the stovetop, rated medium and about 65 minutes start to finish.

What should Farmer's Cheese Dumplings (Vareniki) look like when it is ready?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 5: cook until they float and the dough is cooked through.

Can I make Farmer's Cheese Dumplings (Vareniki) dairy-free?

Not cleanly. Here the dairy (2 cups farmer's cheese or dry-curd cottage cheese, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/2 cup sour cream) is the backbone of the dish, and plant-based substitutes change both its texture and its flavor. If you need strictly dairy-free, start from the dairy-free dinner collection instead.

Can I make Farmer's Cheese Dumplings (Vareniki) gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Farmer's Cheese Dumplings (Vareniki) is 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

Does Farmer's Cheese Dumplings (Vareniki) contain eggs?

Yes: 1 large egg, beaten and 2 large egg yolk (for filling). The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, dairy and eggs. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

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