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Polish Sweet Cheese Buns Drożdżówki

Indulge in these delightful Polish Sweet Cheese Buns, known as drożdżówki. With a golden crust and sweet cheese filling, these buns offer a perfect balance of richness and sweetness.
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Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 300 kcal

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Rolling Pin
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Food processor or mixing bowl for filling

Ingredients
  

For the Dough

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (500 g)
  • 1/2 cup sugar (100 g)
  • 2 tsp active dry yeast (7 g)
  • 1/2 cup warm milk (120 ml)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (60 g)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 tsp salt

For the Filling

  • 2 cups farmer's cheese or ricotta cheese (500 g)
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar (40 g)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 lemon

Optional Toppings

  • 1/2 cup streusel crumble (1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter, mixed until crumbly)
  • 1/2 cup thin vanilla-lemon icing 1/2 cup powdered sugar mixed with lemon juice

Instructions
 

Make the Dough

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy. This signals that your yeast is alive and eager to work.
  • Tip: Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to protect the yeast.
  • Add the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and salt to the yeast mixture, whisking until well combined. Gradually mix in the flour until a soft dough forms.

Knead the Dough

  • Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. This process develops gluten, giving the buns their airy texture.

First Rise

  • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Prepare the Filling

  • While the dough rises, prepare the sweet cheese filling. In a bowl, mix farmer's cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth.
  • Tip: If you prefer a creamier texture, blend the filling in a food processor.

Shape the Buns

  • Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and place them on a lined baking sheet, leaving space for spreading.

Create the Nest

  • Using your thumb, gently press in the center of each ball to form a small depression. Fill this nest with the sweet cheese mixture.

Second Rise

  • Cover the baking sheet with a cloth and let the buns rise for another 30 minutes.

Preheat and Bake

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If using, sprinkle the streusel crumble on top of each bun. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Cool and Glaze

  • Allow the buns to cool slightly before drizzling with the vanilla-lemon icing, if using.

Notes

Pro tips