Description
These golden, fluffy cottage cheese pancakes, known as syrniki, are a classic Eastern European treat. Made with small curd cottage cheese (or tvorog), semolina, and a touch of vanilla, these pancakes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, they pair wonderfully with sour cream, jam, or fresh berries.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb small curd cottage cheese (tvorog), well-drained
- 1/4 cup fine or medium-grain semolina
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for the batter and dusting)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Sour cream, jam, or fresh berries (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cottage Cheese: If your cottage cheese is too watery, drain it by placing it in a sieve lined with a paper towel to remove excess whey. This will help achieve a firmer batter.
- Make the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the well-drained cottage cheese, semolina, egg, sugar, and vanilla extract (if using). Stir until smooth. Gradually add the all-purpose flour to form a soft dough-like consistency.
- Shape the Pancakes: With your hands, take small portions of the batter and roll them into balls, then gently flatten them into rounds about 1/2-inch thick. Dust each pancake with a small amount of flour to prevent sticking.
- Fry the Syrniki: Heat a thin layer of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the pancakes in batches, cooking for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy. Adjust the heat as needed to ensure they cook through without burning.
- Serve: Remove the syrniki from the pan and place them on a paper towel to drain any excess oil. Serve hot with sour cream, jam, or fresh berries.
Notes
- If you can’t find cottage cheese or tvorog, you can make your own tvorog at home using milk and buttermilk. There are plenty of tutorials online for homemade tvorog.
- You can add more or less sugar depending on your sweetness preference. Syrniki can also be served savory with herbs if desired.
- Make sure to drain the cottage cheese well before mixing to avoid a runny batter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Eastern European