Grandma's Heavenly Cheese Blintzes
Indulge in the nostalgic flavors of Grandma's Heavenly Cheese Blintzes, where a rich and creamy filling is encased in delicate, paper-thin crepes. This recipe pays homage to my beloved Grandma, who lovingly crafted these blintzes for special family dinners. With a satisfying blend of farmer's cheese and delectable cream cheese mixed with egg yolks and a touch of sweetness, these blintzes are a delightful treat any time of the day. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a decadent dessert, these blintzes become an instant crowd favorite. Though time-consuming, making extra batches is encouraged, as they freeze beautifully for future enjoyment. Serve them warm with a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar, a dollop of sour cream, or your favorite fruit jam for an unforgettable experience that wraps you in the warmth of family traditions.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dry curd cottage cheese or farmer's cheese
1 1/2 lbs (If using dry curd cottage cheese, ensure it's crumbled; if using farmer's cheese, keep it soft.)
Cream cheese
4 ounces (Bring to room temperature for easier mixing.)
Egg yolks
2 (Well beaten.)
Butter
1 tablespoon (Melted for mixing with filling.)
Sugar
2 tablespoons (For flavoring the cheese filling.)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (For flavoring the cheese filling.)
Milk
1 cup (Added to batter for creaminess.)
Eggs
4 (For batter, beaten.)
Flour
1 cup (For creating the crepe batter.)
Salt
3/4 teaspoon (For seasoning the batter.)
Butter
as needed (For frying crepes.)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the cheese filling: In a stand mixer, blend the dry curd cottage cheese or farmer's cheese until smooth. Gradually add the cream cheese, beaten egg yolks, melted butter, sugar, and salt, mixing until well combined. Set aside the filling.
2
Next, prepare the crepe batter: In a blender, beat the eggs until well mixed. Add in the milk and pulse until combined. With the blender running, slowly add the flour and salt, blending until a smooth batter forms. Make sure the batter is free of lumps.
3
Preheat a 6-inch skillet over medium heat. Lightly brush the skillet with melted butter to prevent sticking.
4
Pour a small amount of batter into the skillet, tilting it to evenly coat the bottom with a very thin layer. Pour any excess batter back into the blender as soon as the edges begin to set.
5
Cook the crepe until the edges begin to pull away from the pan and it starts to brown slightly, about 1-2 minutes. Carefully transfer the crepe to a clean dishcloth, placing it flat to cool. Repeat this process, buttering the pan between each crepe, until all batter is used, ensuring that cooled crepes are spread out and not stacked.
6
Once the crepes are cooled, spoon a rounded amount of the cheese filling into the center of each crepe. Fold in the sides and roll up tightly to create an envelope shape, making sure they are slightly flattened.
7
At this stage, you can refrigerate or freeze the blintzes for later use.
8
To serve, heat butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the filled blintzes for several minutes until golden brown on both sides, turning gently to cook evenly.
9
For a finishing touch, place the cooked blintzes in a single layer on a cookie sheet or jellyroll pan and warm in a 200-degree Fahrenheit oven for 15 minutes to ensure they are heated throughout without overcooking the cheese.
10
Serve warm, garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar, a dollop of sour cream, or your favorite fruit preserves for a deliciously comforting meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Grandma's Heavenly Cheese Blintzes?
They are delicate, paper-thin crepes filled with a rich and creamy mixture of farmer's cheese and cream cheese, traditionally served for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
What type of cheese is used in the filling?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 lbs of dry curd cottage cheese or farmer's cheese, combined with 4 ounces of room-temperature cream cheese.
How do I make the crepe batter smooth?
Use a blender to beat the eggs and milk, then slowly add flour and salt while the blender is running to ensure there are no lumps.
What is the secret to making the crepes paper-thin?
Pour a small amount of batter into a preheated skillet, tilt it to coat the bottom thinly, and immediately pour any excess batter back into the blender.
What size skillet should I use for the crepes?
A 6-inch skillet is recommended to achieve the ideal size for rolling the blintzes.
How long do I cook each crepe?
Cook the crepe for about 1-2 minutes until the edges begin to pull away from the pan and it starts to brown slightly.
Should I stack the crepes after they are cooked?
No, you should place them flat on a clean dishcloth to cool and ensure they are spread out rather than stacked to prevent sticking.
How do I assemble the blintzes?
Spoon a rounded amount of cheese filling into the center of a cooled crepe, fold in the sides, and roll it up tightly into an envelope shape.
Can these blintzes be frozen?
Yes, these blintzes freeze beautifully. You can freeze them after they are rolled but before the final frying step.
How do I perform the final cooking step before serving?
Heat butter in a frying pan over medium heat and fry the filled blintzes for several minutes until they are golden brown on both sides.
What is the purpose of placing the fried blintzes in the oven?
Warming them in a 200-degree Fahrenheit oven for 15 minutes ensures they are heated through to the center without overcooking the cheese filling.
What are the recommended toppings for cheese blintzes?
Common garnishes include a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar, a dollop of sour cream, or your favorite fruit jam or preserves.
How many eggs are needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires a total of 4 eggs for the batter and 2 egg yolks for the cheese filling.
Why is it important to use room-temperature cream cheese?
Bringing the cream cheese to room temperature allows it to blend more easily with the dry curd cheese for a smoother filling.
Can I use regular cottage cheese instead of dry curd cottage cheese?
The recipe specifies dry curd or farmer's cheese because regular cottage cheese contains too much liquid, which could make the filling runny.
How much butter is used in the filling?
One tablespoon of melted butter is mixed into the cheese filling for added richness.
Is there sugar in the crepe batter?
No, the sugar is added to the cheese filling, while the batter is seasoned with salt.
How do I prevent the blintzes from sticking to the pan when frying crepes?
Lightly brush the skillet with melted butter between each crepe to ensure they release easily.
What texture should the cheese filling have?
The filling should be smooth and well-combined, achieved by blending the cheeses and egg yolks in a stand mixer.
How do I ensure the blintzes don't open during frying?
Roll them up tightly into an envelope shape and flatten them slightly before frying to help them stay closed.
What category of food does this recipe fall under?
This recipe is versatile and fits into categories like breakfast, brunch, dessert, and comfort food.
Can I prepare the filling in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the filling and set it aside while you make the crepes.
Is this a quick recipe to make?
While the results are heavenly, the recipe description notes that it is time-consuming, which is why making extra batches for freezing is encouraged.
What kind of milk should I use for the batter?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of milk, which adds creaminess to the crepe batter.
How much flour is in the crepe batter?
The batter uses 1 cup of flour to provide the structure for the crepes.
What is the yield of this recipe?
The recipe uses 11 ingredients and 1 1/2 lbs of cheese, making it a substantial batch suitable for a family meal.
Should the crepes be cooked on both sides before filling?
The instructions imply cooking until the edges pull away and it browns slightly on one side before cooling and filling; the second side is cooked during the final frying step.
How much salt is used in the recipe?
A total of 1 teaspoon is used: 1/4 teaspoon in the cheese filling and 3/4 teaspoon in the batter.
Can I serve these for a special occasion?
Yes, the description mentions they were traditionally crafted by Grandma for special family dinners.
How do I reheat refrigerated blintzes?
You can fry them in butter until golden or warm them in a low-temperature oven until heated through.