{"id":"strukli_479a8a7a3d","slug":"strukli-sweet-cheese-pastry","title":"Štrukli (Sweet Cheese Pastry)","description":"A traditional Croatian specialty featuring thin, hand-stretched dough filled with a creamy cottage cheese mixture, then baked in a rich cream sauce until golden and bubbling.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":45,"totalMinutes":75,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g all-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"all-purpose","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 egg","name":"Egg","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"large","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"2 tbsp vegetable oil","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"250ml warm water","name":"Warm Water","quantity":250,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"warm","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"Pinch of salt","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"fine","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"500g fresh cottage cheese","name":"Cottage Cheese","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"fresh","notes":"Use a dry, crumbly cottage cheese or farmer's cheese.","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"2 eggs for filling","name":"Egg","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"large","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"100g sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 tsp vanilla sugar","name":"vanilla sugar","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"500ml heavy cream","name":"Cream","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"Or high-fat sour cream.","group":"Topping","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 egg for topping","name":"Egg","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"large","notes":"","group":"Topping","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large bowl, mix the flour, egg, oil, salt, and warm water. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic. Divide it into two balls, brush with a little oil, and let rest covered for 30 minutes.","group":"Preparation","title":"Mix the flour, egg, oil, salt, and warm water","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"While the dough is resting, prepare the filling by mixing the cottage cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla sugar in a medium bowl until well combined.","group":"Preparation","title":"Prepare the filling","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F). Cover a large table with a clean tablecloth and dust it with flour. Roll out one ball of dough, then use your hands to stretch it very thinly until it hangs over the edges of the table.","group":"Assembly","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Spread half of the cheese filling along one edge of the dough. Use the tablecloth to lift and roll the dough tightly. Use a small plate to 'cut' the roll into rectangular pieces about 10cm long (this seals the edges). Repeat with the second ball of dough.","group":"Assembly","title":"Spread half of the cheese filling along one edge of the dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Grease a baking dish and arrange the štrukli side by side. Whisk the heavy cream with one egg and pour the mixture over the pastries.","group":"Baking","title":"Grease a baking dish","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Baking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Bake in the preheated oven at 200°C (392°F) for about 40-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the cream has thickened. Serve warm.","group":"Baking","title":"Bake in the preheated oven","timerMinutes":45,"sourceTitle":"Baking"}],"notes":"Stretching the dough as thinly as possible is the secret to a light texture. If you are short on time, you can use high-quality store-bought phyllo dough, though the texture will be slightly different.","cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Croatian"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["bake"],"equipment":["large tablecloth","rolling pin","baking dish","mixing bowls"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk","eggs"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":12,"unit":"piece","note":"Approximately 12 rectangular pieces"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"You can assemble the štrukli and keep them in the fridge for up to 12 hours before pouring the cream over and baking."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftover baked štrukli in the refrigerator covered with foil.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat in the oven at 150°C (302°F) for 10-15 minutes to maintain the texture of the cream."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fstrukli_479a8a7a3d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=dd4d5349-234e-46c0-a4e7-0ecb77ae9602","imageAlt":"Štrukli (Sweet Cheese Pastry) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["pastry","cheese","croatian","sweet","traditional","struckli"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Štrukli (Sweet Cheese Pastry)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T05:41:11.889Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T05:41:11.889Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_a5ad8ae0d0","slug":"kysil","title":"Kysil","description":"A traditional Ukrainian fruit drink thickened with starch, offering a smooth, velvety texture and vibrant berry flavor.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["dessert","sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_a5ad8ae0d0%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d0b37907-2b48-4d5c-9e4c-f8c226144ba1","imageAlt":"Kysil — recipe cover","tags":["kysil","fruit drink","berry dessert","ukrainian recipe","gluten-free drink"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":5},{"id":"palacinke_aafe8b93f5","slug":"palacinke-eastern-european-crepes","title":"Palačinke (Eastern European Crepes)","description":"Thin, delicate, and versatile Eastern European crepes that can be served sweet with jam or savory with cheese. Unlike American pancakes, these are much thinner and larger, perfect for rolling or folding.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Balkan","Central European"]},"course":["main","dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fpalacinke_aafe8b93f5%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ac5688a7-9fa8-4211-9d8f-90610bdd5007","imageAlt":"Palačinke (Eastern European Crepes) — recipe cover","tags":["crepes","pancakes","breakfast","thin pancakes","european food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":7},{"id":"recipe_c63e34da8a","slug":"baklava","title":"Baklava","description":"A rich, indulgent Eastern European dessert featuring layers of crisp, buttery filo pastry, a spiced walnut filling, and a luscious honey-lemon syrup.","serves":24,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":60,"totalMinutes":90,"activeMinutes":45},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Balkan"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_c63e34da8a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=8f3b0d6b-0a3b-433e-a4f1-6cdeb23e3115","imageAlt":"Baklava — recipe cover","tags":["honey","nuts","pastry","sweet","layered"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":8}]}