Varenyky z Vyshnyamy (Ukrainian Cherry Dumplings)
Local name: Вареники з вишнями
In short: Tender dumplings filled with juicy sour cherries and sugar, boiled and served with sour cream and a spoonful of cherry syrup. It takes about 1 h 50 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 1 h 15 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 50 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 420 kcal
Cherry varenyky are the summer version of Ukraine's favorite dumpling. Sour cherries, sugar and a little starch are wrapped in a thin dough, boiled until they float, and served warm with sour cream and a spoonful of cherry syrup. The trick is to drain the fruit well so the dumplings do not burst, and to save the juice, which cooks down into a sauce. Frozen pitted cherries work well all year.
Instructions
- Drain the cherries in a sieve for 30 minutes, saving the juice. Toss the cherries gently with the 4 tbsp sugar and the cornstarch.
- Mix the flour, sugar and salt in a bowl and make a well. Add the egg, oil and water and knead for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Wrap and rest for 30 minutes.
- Roll the dough thinly, about 2 mm (1/16 in), on a floured surface. Cut 7 cm (3 in) circles and put 4 or 5 cherries on each, with very little juice.
- Fold each circle in half and pinch the edge firmly twice to seal. Set the varenyky on a floured tray and cover with a towel.
- Simmer the saved cherry juice with 1 tbsp sugar for 5 minutes until syrupy. Keep it warm.
- Bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil. Cook the varenyky in batches. Once they float, cook for 3 minutes more, then lift out with a slotted spoon.
- Serve warm, with sour cream, a sprinkle of sugar or honey and a spoonful of the cherry syrup.
Tips
- Drain the cherries well and toss them with the cornstarch. Extra juice makes the dough soggy and the dumplings burst.
- Keep the drained cherry juice and simmer it for 5 minutes with a spoonful of sugar. It makes a quick syrup for serving.
Questions and answers
Can I use frozen cherries?
Yes. Thaw them in a sieve and drain for 30 minutes, then keep the juice for the syrup.
Can I freeze cherry varenyky?
Yes. Freeze them raw on a floured tray, then bag them for up to 3 months. Boil from frozen and cook for 7 to 8 minutes after they float.
What do you serve with cherry varenyky?
Sour cream and sugar, or a spoonful of the cherry syrup. A drizzle of melted butter is also traditional.
How long does it take to make Varenyky z Vyshnyamy (Ukrainian Cherry Dumplings)?
About 1 h 50 min in total: 1 h 15 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Varenyky z Vyshnyamy (Ukrainian Cherry Dumplings)?
About 420 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 76 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 420 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 76 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 32 g |
| Sodium | 220 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
