Nalysnyky (Ukrainian Crêpes with Sweet Cottage Cheese)
Local name: Налисники
In short: Thin crêpes wrapped around sweet farmer's cheese and raisins, browned in butter and served with sour cream or jam. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Resting
- 20 min
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 500 kcal
Nalysnyky are thin crêpes, rolled or folded around a filling, and they are a staple of Ukrainian breakfasts and holiday tables, especially in the west of the country. The classic filling is sweet farmer's cheese with a little sugar and vanilla, though meat, mushrooms and fruit are also common. After filling, the crêpes are browned in butter until crisp at the edges. Serve them warm with sour cream, jam or honey.
Instructions
- Whisk the eggs, milk, water, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Whisk in the flour until completely smooth, then stir in the oil. Rest the batter for 20 minutes.
- Heat a 20 cm (8 in) non-stick pan over medium heat and brush it lightly with oil. Pour in about 60 ml (1/4 cup) of batter and swirl to coat the base thinly.
- Cook for 1 minute until the edges lift and the underside is pale gold, then flip and cook for 30 seconds. Stack the crêpes on a plate, oiling the pan only as needed.
- Mash the cheese with the egg yolk, sugar and vanilla until fairly smooth. Stir in the raisins, if using.
- Put 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each crêpe. Fold in the sides and roll up into an envelope.
- Melt half the butter in a wide pan and brown half the envelopes for 2 minutes per side, until golden. Wipe the pan, melt the remaining butter and brown the rest. Serve warm with sour cream, jam or honey.
Tips
- Rest the batter for 20 minutes so the flour absorbs the liquid. The crêpes then cook up thin and tender.
- Oil the pan only for the first crêpe or two. After that the oil in the batter is usually enough.
Questions and answers
Can I make nalysnyky ahead of time?
Yes. Stack the cooked crêpes with parchment between them and keep them in the fridge for 2 days, or freeze for 2 months. Fill and brown them just before serving.
What is the difference between nalysnyky and mlyntsi?
They are very similar thin pancakes. In western Ukraine, nalysnyky is the usual word for filled crêpes, while mlyntsi is more common elsewhere.
Can I use ricotta instead of farmer's cheese?
Yes, but drain it well and add a second yolk so the filling holds together.
How long does it take to make Nalysnyky (Ukrainian Crêpes with Sweet Cottage Cheese)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Nalysnyky (Ukrainian Crêpes with Sweet Cottage Cheese)?
About 500 kcal per serving, with 23 g of protein, 55 g of carbohydrates and 21 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 500 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 23 g |
| Carbohydrates | 55 g |
| Fat | 21 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 21 g |
| Sodium | 330 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
