Ukrainian Vareniki with Sweet Cherry Filling

Name: Ukrainian Vareniki with Sweet Cherry Filling
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: All-purpose flour; Warm water; Full-fat sour cream; Large egg; Unsalted butter; Salt; Fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved; Granulated sugar; Cornstarch; Vanilla extract; Unsalted butter, melted; Powdered sugar; Sour cream

A Traditional Eastern European Dumpling Delight

Soft dumplings filled with a burst of sweet cherries, perfect for a comforting dessert or snack experience.

1 h 30 min
4
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Dough

All-purpose flour

2 cups

Warm water

1/2 cup

Full-fat sour cream

1/2 cup

Large egg

Unsalted butter

1 tablespoon, melted

Salt

1/2 teaspoon

For the Cherry Filling

Fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved

2 cups

Granulated sugar

1/4 cup

Cornstarch

1 tablespoon

Vanilla extract

1 teaspoon

For Serving

Unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup

Powdered sugar

1 tablespoon

Sour cream

1/4 cup

Preparation

Making the Dough

Mix dry ingredients

In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt together.

Combine wet ingredients

Add the egg, sour cream, warm water, and melted butter.

Knead the dough and rest

Knead the mixture until a smooth dough forms. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Preparing the Cherry Filling

Combine filling ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract.

Ensure the cherries are well-drained to avoid a soggy filling.

Coat the cherries

Mix well until the cherries are evenly coated.

Let flavors meld

Let sit for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Prepare the dough and filling simultaneously to save time.

Cooking Process

Roll and cut the dough

Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness; cut out circles using a 3-inch cookie cutter.

Fill and seal vareniki

Place a teaspoon of cherry filling in the center of each dough circle, fold over, and seal tightly by pinching the edges.

Make sure to seal the edges of the vareniki tightly to prevent the filling from leaking during boiling.

Boil the dumplings

Cook vareniki in boiling, salted water for 8–10 minutes, or until they float to the top.

Plating & Serving