{"id":"recipe_de629c1e9f","slug":"varenyky-with-sour-cherries","title":"Varenyky with Sour Cherries","description":"A classic Ukrainian dessert featuring tender dough pockets filled with juicy sour cherries, served warm with a dusting of sugar or a dollop of cool sour cream.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":35,"cookMinutes":25,"totalMinutes":60,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"3 cups all-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":375,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"3","usUnit":"cup","form":"sifted","notes":"all-purpose","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"200 ml kefir or buttermilk","name":"Buttermilk","quantity":200,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"3/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"can substitute with water or yogurt","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 large egg","name":"Egg","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"large","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1/2 tsp salt","name":"Salt","quantity":3,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"500 g sour cherries","name":"Sour Cherries","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"pitted","notes":"fresh or frozen","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1/2 cup sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"for filling and dusting","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tbsp cornstarch","name":"Cornstarch","quantity":10,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"powder","notes":"helps absorb juice","group":"Filling","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Create a well in the center and add the egg and kefir. Mix until a dough forms.","group":"Dough Preparation","title":"Whisk together the flour and salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dough Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover with a clean cloth and let rest for 15-20 minutes.","group":"Dough Preparation","title":"Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Dough Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"In a small bowl, toss the pitted sour cherries with cornstarch. Keep the sugar separate for now to avoid the fruit releasing too much juice prematurely.","group":"Filling Preparation","title":"Toss the pitted sour cherries","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Filling Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 2-3 mm. Use a glass or a round cutter to cut out circles (approximately 7-8 cm in diameter).","group":"Assembly","title":"Roll out the dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Place 2-3 cherries in the center of each circle. Sprinkle with a small pinch of sugar. Fold the dough in half over the cherries and pinch the edges firmly to seal.","group":"Assembly","title":"Place 2-3 cherries","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (100°C / 212°F). Carefully drop the dumplings into the boiling water. Once they float to the surface, cook for another 3-4 minutes.","group":"Cooking","title":"Bring a large pot of salted water","timerMinutes":4,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"}],"notes":"Ensure the dough is rolled thin but strong enough to hold the fruit. If using frozen cherries, thaw and drain them well before mixing with starch to prevent the dumplings from leaking.","cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["boil"],"equipment":["Rolling pin","Round dough cutter","Large pot","Slotted spoon"],"diet":["vegetarian","nut_free","soy_free"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk","eggs"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":30,"unit":"piece","note":"makes approximately 30 dumplings"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Dumplings can be assembled and frozen on a tray before boiling. Once frozen solid, transfer to a bag."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store cooked varenyky in the fridge. Lightly coat with melted butter to prevent sticking.","reheatingNotes":"Steam or lightly sauté in butter to reheat."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_de629c1e9f%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e13f4a50-e28b-42d9-bb86-9fda9ae5c890","imageAlt":"Varenyky with Sour Cherries — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["dumplings","cherry","ukrainian","sweet","traditional"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Varenyky with Sour Cherries","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T05:42:34.184Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T05:42:34.184Z","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}]}