Russia · Breakfast and Brunch
Syrniki (Cottage Cheese Pancakes)
Crispy outside, soft and cheesy inside. Syrniki are small fried curd pancakes made from cottage cheese, eggs, and a little flour — nothing more.
Ingredients
- tvorog (farmer's cheese)400 g
- eggs2
- flour4 tbsp
- sugar2 tbsp
- vanilla extract1 tsp
- salt1 pinch
- flour for dusting3 tbsp
- vegetable oil3 tbsp
Method
- 1Drain the cottage cheese well. If it's wet, put it in a fine-mesh strainer and press out the liquid. Then press it through the strainer with a spoon to break up any lumps and make the texture smooth.
- 2In a bowl, combine the cottage cheese, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Mix with a fork until uniform. Add the flour one tablespoon at a time. Stop when the dough is thick enough to hold a shape but still slightly sticky — usually 3 to 4 tablespoons.
- 3Dust your hands and a plate with flour. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough, roll into a ball, then flatten gently into a round disk about 1.5 cm thick. Coat both sides in flour. You should get 8 to 10 pieces.
- 4Heat the oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Fry the syrniki in batches — do not crowd the pan. Cook for 3 minutes per side without pressing them down. They should be deep golden brown on both sides.
- 5Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel. Serve warm with sour cream, jam, or honey.