Cheese Blintzes are the kind of treat that instantly transports you to cozy Sunday brunches or festive gatherings with family. Imagine delicate, golden crepes cradling a lusciously smooth, sweet cheese filling, all kissed with a buttery crispness and finished with a shower of powdered sugar and vibrant berries. This classic dish balances a delightful mix of textures, and it’s just as enjoyable for an indulgent breakfast as it is an elegant dessert. If you’ve never made them at home, you’re in for a truly special experience!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed by how a few everyday ingredients create something so beautiful and delicious! Each component is thoughtfully chosen to contribute to the tenderness of the crepes or the rich creaminess of that dreamy filling, and together they make Cheese Blintzes truly irresistible.
- Eggs: Essential for structure and tenderness in both the crepe and the filling.
- Milk: Provides moisture for silky, thin crepes.
- Water: Helps the batter yield light, flexible crepes.
- All-purpose flour: The classic base that gives crepes their delicate texture.
- Sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness to both crepe and filling.
- Salt: Balances out sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Butter (melted): Adds richness to the crepes and helps them cook up perfectly.
- Ricotta or farmer’s cheese: The heart of the Cheese Blintzes filling—choose either for luscious texture and mild flavor.
- Cream cheese (softened): Boosts creaminess and gives structure to the filling.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the filling with lovely aroma and depth.
- Lemon zest (optional): Adds a bright, fresh note to the cheese filling.
- Butter (for frying): Ensures those signature crispy golden edges.
- Powdered sugar, berries, or fruit compote (for topping): The perfect finish for your homemade blintzes.
How to Make Cheese Blintzes
Step 1: Prepare the Crepe Batter
Start your Cheese Blintzes adventure by blending the crepe ingredients—eggs, milk, water, flour, sugar, salt, and melted butter—until smooth. Let the batter rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes; this step helps the bubbles settle, ensuring crepes that cook up tender and can hold your luscious filling.
Step 2: Cook the Crepes
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium and give it a swipe of butter for extra flavor. Pour in a small ladleful of batter, swirling the pan quickly to coat the bottom in a thin layer. After 1 to 2 minutes, when the edges start to lift, gently flip and give the other side 30 seconds to finish. Repeat with the rest of the batter, and don’t worry if the first one isn’t perfect—it’s tradition!
Step 3: Mix the Cheese Filling
In a bowl, combine the ricotta or farmer’s cheese with softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and, if you like a hint of brightness, a little lemon zest. The result is a creamy, lightly sweet filling that’s good enough to eat by the spoonful. Try not to sneak too many tastes before filling your crepes!
Step 4: Fill and Roll the Blintzes
Place each crepe on a work surface, then spoon a generous tablespoon or two of the cheese mixture near the bottom third. Fold in the sides to keep the filling secure, then roll it up like a burrito, seam-side down. The key is a firm, tidy roll so your Cheese Blintzes hold their shape when they hit the pan.
Step 5: Pan-Fry to Golden Perfection
In a skillet, melt a little butter over medium heat. Fry each blintz, seam-side down first, until golden and crisp, then flip to brown the other side. That contrast between the creamy cheese center and the crispy, buttery shell is pure magic!
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Arrange the golden Cheese Blintzes on a platter, top with a dusting of powdered sugar, and pile on your favorite berries or spoonfuls of fruit compote. They’re best enjoyed warm, when the filling is soft and the crepes are at their crispiest.
How to Serve Cheese Blintzes
Garnishes
For Cheese Blintzes, a flurry of powdered sugar is a classic, but don’t stop there! Fresh strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries add brightness and beautiful color; a dollop of sour cream is tangy and elegant. Fruit compotes—think cherry or apricot—bring extra sweetness and a lovely contrast to the rich filling.
Side Dishes
Complement your Cheese Blintzes with simple sides like crisp bacon, a fresh fruit salad, or a citrusy mimosa for brunch. If serving as dessert, coffee or a fragrant tea is the perfect accompaniment. The blintzes also pair nicely with a little crème fraîche or whipped cream for a touch of luxury.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Cheese Blintzes in a pretty fan arrangement on a platter, or serve them individually dusted with powdered sugar and garnished with edible flowers. For parties, cut each blintz in half at an angle and stand them upright for eye-catching finger food. Try drizzling with chocolate sauce or honey for a decadent twist!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover Cheese Blintzes, let them cool fully, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep well for up to 3 days, perfect for a quick, special breakfast or snack! Just keep any toppings separate until you’re ready to serve.
Freezing
To freeze Cheese Blintzes, arrange the filled and rolled (but unfried) blintzes on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, let them thaw slightly and fry as directed for a freshly made finish.
Reheating
For best results, reheat Cheese Blintzes in a skillet with a little butter to restore their crispy texture. You can also warm them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes—just cover with foil to prevent drying. The microwave works in a pinch, though they won’t be quite as crisp.
FAQs
What’s the best cheese to use for Cheese Blintzes?
Traditional Cheese Blintzes shine with farmer’s cheese for crumbly texture and mild flavor, but ricotta is readily available and wonderfully creamy. Either style gives you a luscious, not-too-sweet filling, and combining with cream cheese takes it to the next level!
Can I make the crepes ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the crepes a day in advance and stack them with parchment in between. Keep them wrapped in the fridge, then proceed with filling and frying when you’re ready—this makes Cheese Blintzes perfect for entertaining or holiday prep.
Is there a gluten-free option for Cheese Blintzes?
Yes! You can substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour in the crepe batter. The rest of the recipe stays the same, and your Cheese Blintzes will still have beautiful flavor and texture.
What’s the difference between crepes and blintzes?
Crepes are thin pancakes on their own, while blintzes are crepes wrapped around a filling—usually sweet cheese in this case—then briefly pan-fried. This extra step crisps up the outside and warms the filling, making Cheese Blintzes extra irresistible!
Can I use a sweet fruit filling instead of cheese?
Definitely! While the classic version features a cheese filling, you can swap in jam, cooked fruit, or sweetened ricotta for variety. Feel free to get creative with what you have on hand and make the recipe your own.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving comfort with a touch of elegance, Cheese Blintzes truly deliver. They’re easier than you might think and impossible to resist—so invite some friends and make brunch or dessert extra special. Give these homemade blintzes a try, and you’ll have a new go-to favorite to share!
Cheese Blintzes Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 blintzes 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Russian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crisp on the outside and creamy inside, these classic cheese blintzes are filled with a sweetened cheese mixture and pan-fried to golden perfection. Serve with fresh berries or fruit preserves for a brunch-worthy dish or elegant dessert.
Ingredients
For the Crepes:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
For the Cheese Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta or farmer’s cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1/2 lemon (optional)
For Cooking and Topping:
- Butter, for frying
- Powdered sugar, berries, or fruit compote for topping
Instructions
- Crepes: In a blender, combine all crepe ingredients and blend until smooth. Chill batter for 30 minutes.
- Cooking Crepes: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease with butter and pour in a small ladle of batter, swirling to coat the pan. Cook 1–2 minutes until edges lift, flip, and cook 30 more seconds. Repeat until all crepes are made.
- Cheese Filling: In a bowl, mix together ricotta, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest until smooth.
- Filling and Rolling: Place 1–2 tablespoons of filling onto each crepe, fold sides in, then roll like a burrito.
- Cooking Blintzes: Heat butter in a skillet and cook each blintz seam-side down until golden on both sides.
- Serving: Serve warm with powdered sugar, berries, or cherry compote.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 blintz
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
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