These filled cottage cheese cookies offer a delicious balance of sweetness and richness with their buttery, flaky dough and creamy cottage cheese filling. They are simple to make, yet they bring a touch of elegance to any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a new treat to bake or planning for a special gathering, these cookies will surely be a crowd-pleaser. Let’s explore the recipe in detail!
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 1/4 cups (280 grams) all-purpose flour – Provides the structure for the dough.
- 7 tablespoons (100 grams) unsalted butter, cold – Cold butter ensures a flaky, tender texture.
- 1 large egg – Helps bind the dough together and adds richness.
- 7 tablespoons (100 grams) yogurt or sour cream – Adds moisture and richness to the dough.
- 2 tablespoons sugar – Lightly sweetens the dough.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Adds flavor to the dough.
- A pinch of salt – Balances the sweetness.
For the Filling:
- 1 cup (250 grams) cottage cheese – Creamy filling with a slightly tangy flavor.
- 2 tablespoons sugar – Sweetens the cottage cheese filling.
For Dusting:
- Powdered sugar (optional) – Adds a sweet, decorative finish to the cookies.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 280 grams of flour and 100 grams of cold butter. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles crumbs.
- Whisk wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 egg, 100 grams of yogurt (or sour cream), 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the flour and butter crumbs, stirring until the dough comes together. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes to make it easier to handle.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
- Mix the filling: In a small bowl, mix 250 grams of cottage cheese with 2 tablespoons of sugar until smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Shape the Cookies
- Divide the dough: Divide the dough into 10 equal parts and form each part into a ball.
- Roll out the dough: Roll each ball into a flat circle, about 3 inches in diameter. For a decorative touch, use a cocktail straw or small round cutter to create small holes around the edges of the dough circles (optional).
- Add the filling: Place 1 tablespoon of the cottage cheese filling in the center of each dough circle.
- Seal the cookies: Fold the dough over the filling to form a filled cookie, gently pressing the edges to seal them.
Step 4: Bake the Cookies
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 180°C (356°F).
- Bake the cookies: Place the filled cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
- Cool the cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool slightly.
- Dust with powdered sugar: If desired, dust the cookies with powdered sugar for a sweet, elegant finish.
- Serve: Enjoy these delightful cottage cheese cookies warm or at room temperature.
Cooking Tips
- Cold butter: Cold butter is essential for ensuring the dough remains crumbly and flaky. Handle the dough as little as possible to avoid warming up the butter.
- Rest the dough: Let the dough rest for 10 minutes to make it easier to handle and roll out without tearing.
- Seal the edges well: Press the edges of the cookies firmly to seal them so the filling doesn’t leak during baking.
- Customize the filling: For a sweeter filling, feel free to add more sugar to the cottage cheese mixture according to your taste.
- Decorative edges: For a beautiful touch, create small holes around the edges of the dough circles with a small round cutter before folding them.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat cottage cheese for this recipe?
Yes, you can use low-fat cottage cheese, but keep in mind that it may affect the creaminess and richness of the filling.
How do I make these cookies ahead of time?
You can prepare the dough and filling in advance. Store the dough wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can also freeze the cookies after baking; thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Can I substitute the yogurt for something else?
Yes, sour cream works as a perfect substitute for yogurt. You can also try using buttermilk if you don’t have yogurt or sour cream.
How do I store these cookies?
Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them for longer, refrigerate them for up to 5 days or freeze them for up to 2 months.
Nutritional Benefits
- High in protein: The cottage cheese and eggs provide a good amount of protein, which helps support muscle growth and repair.
- Good source of calcium: Cottage cheese is rich in calcium, which is vital for bone health.
- Healthy fats: The butter and yogurt contribute healthy fats that provide sustained energy.
- Low sugar: These cookies are much lower in sugar than many store-bought options, making them a healthier homemade treat.
- Fiber: The flour provides a small amount of fiber, which aids digestion.
Dietary Information
- Vegetarian-friendly: This recipe is suitable for vegetarians.
- Protein-rich: The combination of cottage cheese and eggs ensures a good protein boost.
- Calcium-rich: The dairy in the recipe provides a healthy dose of calcium.
- Low in added sugars: The recipe uses only a modest amount of sugar, making it a lighter option.
- No preservatives: These cookies are made with all-natural ingredients, with no artificial preservatives.
Nutritional Facts (per cookie, based on 10 cookies)
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 5g
Storage
- Room temperature: Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigeration: For longer storage, refrigerate the cookies for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze the cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Conclusion
These Delicious Filled Cottage Cheese Cookies are the perfect treat for any occasion. With their rich cottage cheese filling and buttery, flaky dough, they are a delightful combination of flavors and textures. Whether served with tea, enjoyed as a snack, or presented at a gathering, these cookies will surely impress. Follow the steps, and you’ll have a batch of irresistible, homemade cookies in no time!