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A decorative blue and white bowl filled with golden-brown Ukrainian Cottage Cheese Dumplings topped with fried onions and a dollop of sour cream.
Layla

Ukrainian Cottage Cheese Dumplings

Tender, pillowy dumplings filled with creamy farmer's cheese, boiled until they float, then pan-fried in butter for golden edges - a taste of Ukrainian comfort.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Eastern European, Ukrainian
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 0.75 cup water warm
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
For the Filling
  • 12 oz farmer's cheese or dry cottage cheese drained well, see notes
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 0.25 tsp salt
For Cooking and Serving
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter divided
  • 0.5 cup sour cream for serving
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Rolling Pin
  • Large Pot
  • Large skillet
  • Slotted spoon
  • 3-inch round cutter or glass

Method
 

Make the Dough
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add egg, warm water, and oil. Stir with a fork until shaggy, then turn onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough should feel soft but not sticky - add flour 1 tablespoon at a time if needed. Cover with a damp towel and rest for 20 minutes.
Prepare the Filling
  1. Press farmer's cheese through a fine-mesh sieve or ricer into a bowl to remove any lumps. Stir in egg yolk, sugar, and salt until well combined. The filling should hold together when pinched but not be wet - if too moist, blot with paper towels.
Shape the Dumplings
  1. Divide dough in half. Roll one portion on a floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness - thin enough to see your hand through it slightly. Cut into 3-inch circles using a cutter or glass. Gather scraps, reroll once, and cut again. Repeat with remaining dough.
  2. Place 1 teaspoon of filling in the center of each circle. Fold dough over to form a half-moon, pressing edges firmly to seal. Pick up each dumpling and pinch the curved edge into small pleats or simply press with fork tines to ensure a tight seal - this prevents bursting during cooking. Place on a floured sheet pan, not touching.
Cook the Dumplings
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil. Working in batches of 8-10, slide dumplings into the water. Stir once gently to prevent sticking. Cook until they float to the surface, about 3-4 minutes, then continue cooking 1 minute more. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add half the boiled dumplings in a single layer and cook undisturbed until golden and crisp on the bottom, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish, add remaining butter, and repeat with remaining dumplings.
Serve
  1. Arrange dumplings on a warm platter, crispy sides up. Top with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with fresh dill. Serve immediately with extra sour cream on the side.

Notes

Farmer's cheese is traditional, but you can substitute well-drained whole milk ricotta - place in a cheesecloth-lined sieve, weight it, and drain for 2 hours first. For a sweet version, increase sugar in the filling to 3 tablespoons and serve with honey or jam instead of sour cream. These freeze beautifully: arrange uncooked dumplings on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a bag and boil directly from frozen, adding 2 minutes to the cooking time.