Delicious Homemade Blintz: A Step-by-Step Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 cup of milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup of ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup of lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup of sour cream for topping
  • Confectioners' sugar for dusting

Steps and instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, sugar, and salt.
  2. In another bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
  3. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until smooth.
  4. Stir in the melted butter and mix until well incorporated. Let the batter rest for about 30 minutes.
  5. While the batter is resting, prepare the filling: mix together ricotta cheese, granulated sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl.
  6. Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  7. Pour 1/4 cup of batter into the skillet and swirl it around to evenly coat the bottom. Cook until the edges start to curl up and the bottom is lightly browned.
  8. Flip the blintz over and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove from the skillet and repeat with the remaining batter.
  9. Once all the blintzes are cooked, place a spoonful of the ricotta filling on the uncooked side of each blintz. Fold in the sides and roll up the blintz to enclose the filling.
  10. Just before serving, heat the blintzes in the skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
  11. Serve the blintzes warm, topped with sour cream and dusted with confectioners' sugar.

Tools for making

  • Mixing Bowls - You'll need bowls to mix the batter and prepare the filling.
  • Whisk - Use a whisk to combine the wet ingredients for the batter.
  • Non-stick Skillet - A non-stick skillet will help ensure the blintzes cook evenly and don't stick to the pan.
  • Spatula - Use a spatula to flip the blintzes and remove them from the skillet.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons - These are essential for accurately measuring the ingredients.
  • Grater or Zester - You'll need a grater or zester to zest the lemon for the filling.
  • Juicer - A juicer will make it easier to extract the lemon juice for the filling.
  • Rolling Pin - Use a rolling pin to roll up the blintzes after adding the filling.

Recipe variations

  • Use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour for a healthier option.
  • Replace the ricotta cheese filling with cottage cheese or cream cheese.
  • Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the batter for a chocolate blintz variation.
  • Add fresh berries or sliced fruit to the filling for a fruity twist.
  • For a savory option, substitute the sweet filling with sautéed vegetables or cooked spinach.
  • Make a gluten-free version by using gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
  • Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter for a spiced flavor.
  • Drizzle warm maple syrup or honey over the blintzes instead of using sour cream.
  • Add chopped nuts, such as walnuts or almonds, to the filling for extra texture.
  • Experiment with different extracts, like almond or coconut, to flavor the blintz batter.

Recipe overview

This blintz recipe will guide you step-by-step through the process of making delicious, homemade blintzes. Blintzes are a popular dish in Eastern European cuisine, particularly among Jewish communities, and they are often enjoyed during special occasions. They consist of thin pancakes, similar to crepes, that are filled with a sweet ricotta mixture and then lightly fried until golden brown. Topped with sour cream and a dusting of confectioners' sugar, these blintzes are a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. They can be served as a decadent breakfast, a sweet main course, or a satisfying dessert. Once you try making these blintzes at home, you'll want to include them in all your special celebrations!

Common questions

  1. Can I use a different type of flour? Yes, you can use whole wheat flour or a gluten-free flour blend as a substitute for all-purpose flour.
  2. Can I use a different type of cheese for the filling? Yes, while ricotta cheese is traditional, you can experiment with cottage cheese, cream cheese, or farmer's cheese as alternatives.
  3. Can I make the batter ahead of time? It is best to make the batter fresh as it may thicken over time. However, you can make the batter up to a few hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use. Just give it a good stir before cooking.
  4. Can I freeze the blintzes? Yes, you can freeze the cooked blintzes for up to 1 month. Place them in an airtight container with parchment paper between each blintz to prevent sticking. To reheat, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm them in a skillet before serving.
  5. Can I use a different filling? Absolutely! While the recipe calls for a sweet ricotta filling, you can get creative and use other fillings such as fruit preserves, chocolate-hazelnut spread, or even savory fillings like spinach and feta.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Mixing bowls - For mixing the batter and preparing the filling.
  • Whisk - To whisk together the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract for the batter.
  • Non-stick skillet - To cook the blintzes evenly without sticking.
  • Spatula - To flip the blintzes and remove them from the skillet.
  • Spoons - For mixing the filling and spooning it onto the blintzes.
  • Grater or zester - To zest the lemon for the filling.
  • Juicer - To extract the lemon juice for the filling.
  • Measuring cups - To accurately measure the flour, milk, and butter.
  • Measuring spoons - To measure the sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and lemon zest.
  • Plates - To serve the blintzes.
  • Serving utensils - To portion and serve the blintzes.

Origin stories

Blintzes, a type of thin pancake, hold a special place in Eastern European cuisine, particularly among Jewish communities. They were traditionally prepared in large quantities for Shavuot, a holiday marking the end of the spring barley harvest and the beginning of the summer wheat harvest, as well as commemorating the giving of the Torah. Blintzes were made with any grains and dairy products available, symbolizing prosperity and abundance. The act of filling and folding the blintz is also said to represent wisdom being folded into the Torah. So, when you're crafting these delicious parcels, you're partaking in a centuries-old tradition. Enjoy each bite, and remember, every blintz carries a piece of history.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.