If you have a sweet tooth and a love for comforting baked treats, get ready to fall head over heels for this Blueberry & Cheese Vatrushka Buns Recipe. These delightful Eastern European-inspired buns marry fluffy, tender dough with a luscious swirl of creamy cheese filling and bursts of fresh blueberries. Every bite offers a perfect balance of sweetness, tang, and that marvelous hint of vanilla and lemon zest that wakes up your taste buds. Whether it’s a weekend breakfast treat or an elegant dessert, these buns never fail to bring joy and a bit of cozy magic to your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make these irresistible buns, you’ll only need simple, everyday ingredients that together create a symphony of flavors and textures. Each component plays a vital role – from the pillowy dough to the tangy, creamy filling and the juicy blueberries that add a fresh pop of color and taste.
- All-purpose flour (3 ½ cups): Provides structure and tenderness for the dough.
- Active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons): Helps the dough rise, creating that fluffy texture.
- Warm milk (¾ cup): Activates the yeast and adds moisture.
- Granulated sugar (¼ cup and 1 tablespoon): Sweetens both the dough and blueberry topping.
- Large egg (1) plus extra egg yolk and one egg for wash: Adds richness and helps with browning.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances the aromatic flavor in both dough and filling.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and intensifies flavor.
- Unsalted butter, softened (4 tablespoons): Creates moist, tender dough with a subtle richness.
- Ricotta cheese (1 cup): The creamy base of the luscious filling.
- Cream cheese, softened (4 ounces): Adds smoothness and tang to the filling.
- Sour cream (¼ cup): Brings a lovely subtle tang to balance the sweetness.
- Powdered sugar (¼ cup): Sweetens and lightens the cheese filling.
- Lemon zest (1 teaspoon): Provides brightness and a fresh citrus zing.
- Fresh or frozen blueberries (1 cup): Bursts of juicy sweetness with a deliciously tart edge.
- Cornstarch (1 tablespoon): Helps thicken the blueberry topping to prevent soggy buns.
How to Make Blueberry & Cheese Vatrushka Buns Recipe
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start by dissolving the yeast in warm milk. This little step breathes life into the dough, making it fluffy and light. Let the mixture sit for about 5 to 10 minutes until it’s foamy and bubbling on top, signaling that your yeast is happy and active.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
In a large bowl, combine your flour, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, salt, and softened butter. Pour in the yeast milk mixture and knead everything together. Whether you choose to do this by hand or with a stand mixer, knead until you have a smooth and elastic dough, about 10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes with a mixer. This process develops the gluten, giving the buns their perfect chewy softness.
Step 3: First Rise
Cover your dough and place it somewhere warm for about an hour until it doubles in size. This step is the magic behind that fluffy texture you’re aiming for.
Step 4: Make the Cheese Filling
While the dough is rising, mix up the creamy filling by blending ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, egg yolk, powdered sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. This rich filling will be the heart of your buns, offering a luscious contrast to the bread.
Step 5: Prep the Blueberries
Toss the fresh or frozen blueberries with cornstarch and granulated sugar. The cornstarch thickens the berries during baking, so their juices don’t turn the buns soggy, while the sugar sweetens them just right.
Step 6: Shape the Buns
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Form each piece into a ball and flatten slightly. Using the bottom of a glass or your fingers, press a well into the center of each bun – this is where the magic filling and berries will go!
Step 7: Assemble and Bake
Fill each well with a generous spoonful of the cheese mixture, then top with a few blueberries. Brush the dough edges with beaten egg to get a gorgeous golden finish. Bake the buns for 20 to 25 minutes until they’re beautifully golden brown and irresistible.
How to Serve Blueberry & Cheese Vatrushka Buns Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar adds a delicate, snowy touch that takes your buns from homemade to bakery-worthy. For an extra burst of flavor, try a few fresh mint leaves or a light drizzle of honey to complement the sweet and tangy filling.
Side Dishes
These buns pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a cozy start to your day. For a brunch spread, serve alongside fresh fruit salad or a yogurt parfait for a refreshing balance to the rich buns.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress your guests? Arrange the buns on a rustic wooden board lined with parchment paper and scatter a few fresh blueberries and lemon zest curls around for a bright, inviting presentation. For festive occasions, try adding edible flowers or a light glaze made from lemon juice and powdered sugar.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any buns leftover (which is rare!), place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. They’ll keep fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. Just remember to bring them to room temperature or warm slightly before enjoying.
Freezing
You can freeze these buns to enjoy later by wrapping each bun tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag. This Blueberry & Cheese Vatrushka Buns Recipe freezes surprisingly well, maintaining texture and flavor for up to 2 months.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw frozen buns overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a few hours. Warm them gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes or until heated through. Avoid microwaving as it can make the dough tough.
FAQs
Can I use frozen blueberries for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just be sure to toss them with cornstarch and sugar while still frozen to prevent extra moisture from thinning the cheese filling and dough during baking.
What’s the best cheese to use if I can’t find ricotta?
Farmer’s cheese is a fantastic traditional substitute that adds a slightly tangier, more authentic Eastern European flavor. Cream cheese keeps it smooth and creamy in any case!
Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes! You can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise slowly in the fridge overnight. Just bring it to room temperature before shaping and baking.
Are these buns suitable for freezing after baking?
They freeze beautifully both before and after baking. Just make sure to wrap them well to prevent freezer burn and preserve flavor.
How do I make sure my buns are soft and not dry?
The key is not to overbake! Keep an eye out and pull them out as soon as they’re a warm golden brown. Also, brushing with egg wash adds moisture and a lovely shine that helps seal in softness.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so special about the Blueberry & Cheese Vatrushka Buns Recipe that keeps me coming back to it — comforting, sweet, and bursting with fresh flavor in every bite. Whether you serve them fresh from the oven or save some for later, these buns bring warmth and joy to your table. So go ahead, give this recipe a try, invite a loved one, and savor the delicious result together!
Print
Blueberry & Cheese Vatrushka Buns Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 buns
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these traditional Eastern European Blueberry & Cheese Vatrushka Buns, featuring a soft, yeasted dough filled with a luscious mixture of ricotta, cream cheese, and fresh blueberries. Perfect as a sweet breakfast treat or dessert, these baked buns combine creamy, tangy cheese filling with juicy blueberries and a hint of lemon zest for a refreshing finish.
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm milk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Cheese Filling
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 egg yolk
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Blueberry Topping
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Egg Wash
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in warm milk. Allow it to sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready.
- Prepare Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, large egg, vanilla extract, salt, and softened butter. Pour in the yeast mixture and knead everything together until a smooth, elastic dough forms. Kneading by hand takes about 10 minutes, or 5 minutes if using a stand mixer with a dough hook. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Mix Cheese Filling: Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, blend the ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, egg yolk, powdered sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Prepare Blueberries: In another small bowl, toss the fresh or frozen blueberries with cornstarch and granulated sugar to coat them evenly. This helps thicken the juices while baking.
- Shape Buns: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball, then flatten slightly. Place the dough pieces on the baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
- Create Wells: Use the bottom of a glass or your fingers to press a shallow well into the center of each bun, creating space for the filling.
- Fill and Top: Spoon a generous amount of the cheese filling into each well, then add a few coated blueberries on top of the cheese mixture for a burst of fruity flavor.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush the exposed edges of each bun with the beaten egg to ensure a beautiful golden-brown finish once baked.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the buns turn golden brown and the filling is set.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the buns from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving to enjoy the perfect texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a more traditional Eastern European flavor, substitute ricotta cheese with farmer’s cheese.
- Best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat slightly before serving to restore soft texture.
