Croatian Cheese Strukli Recipe

Introduction

Croatian Cheese Strukli is a comforting baked pastry filled with a creamy cheese mixture that melts in your mouth. This traditional dish combines tender dough with flavorful cheese, perfect as a hearty snack or a satisfying main course.

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups Baker’s Corner all-purpose flour
• 5 Goldhen large eggs, divided
• 3 1/2 tablespoons Countryside Creamery melted butter, divided
• 2/3 cup water
• 24 ounces Friendly Farms cottage cheese
• 1 1/4 cups Friendly Farms sour cream
• 10 ounces Specially Selected Aged Reserve white cheddar, shredded and divided
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon Stonemill garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/4 cups Countryside Creamery half-and-half
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Brush the bottom and sides of a 9×13 inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon melted butter.
2. Step 2: In a stand mixer bowl, combine flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 egg, 1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter, and 2/3 cup water. Attach the bread hook and mix on low for 5 minutes until a smooth, tacky ball forms. Continue kneading for 2-3 more minutes. If the dough feels too dry, add 1-2 tablespoons more water. Brush the remaining butter over the dough and the sides of the bowl, cover with plastic, and let rest for at least 15 minutes.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix cottage cheese, sour cream, 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar, 4 eggs, thyme, garlic powder, nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper until well combined.
4. Step 4: Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. On a clean surface, roll and stretch one piece into a thin 9×13 inch rectangle—no flour needed. Spread one-quarter of the cheese mixture evenly over the dough. Starting at a short end, fold the dough over 1 1/2 to 2 inches at a time into a loose log. Carefully lift and place the log into the prepared baking dish.
5. Step 5: Repeat the rolling, filling, and folding process with the remaining dough and cheese mixture. Arrange all four logs in the baking dish, then gently cut each log into 4 equal pieces. Pour the half-and-half evenly over the top and sprinkle with the remaining shredded cheddar.
6. Step 6: Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the tops are golden and puffy, even in the center. Remove from the oven, slice, and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding fresh herbs such as parsley or chives to the cheese filling.
• You can substitute the white cheddar with a milder cheese like mozzarella for a creamier texture.
• If you don’t have a stand mixer, knead the dough by hand on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth.
• Serve with a side of sour cream or a light salad for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftover strukli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350 degrees F until warmed through to preserve the crispy top. Strukli can also be frozen before baking; thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough a day ahead. Cover and refrigerate it after kneading. Allow it to come to room temperature before rolling out.

What if I don’t have cottage cheese?

You can use ricotta cheese as a substitute, which provides a similar creamy texture and mild flavor.

Croatian Cheese Strukli Recipe

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Croatian Cheese Strukli is a traditional savory pastry featuring a delicate dough filled with a creamy mixture of cottage cheese, sour cream, and shredded cheddar. Rolled into logs, topped with half-and-half and cheese, then baked until golden and puffy, this dish offers a rich, comforting blend of flavors perfect for a hearty snack or meal.

• Author: Yana
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 16 pieces (4 logs cut into 4 pieces each) 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Croatian
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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Dough

• 3 1/4 cups Baker’s Corner all-purpose flour
• 5 Goldhen large eggs, divided
• 3 1/2 tablespoons Countryside Creamery melted butter, divided
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 teaspoon salt

Cheese Filling

• 24 ounces Friendly Farms cottage cheese
• 1 1/4 cups Friendly Farms sour cream
• 10 ounces Specially Selected Aged Reserve white cheddar, shredded and divided (1 1/2 cups + remaining for topping)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon Stonemill garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 eggs (from the 5 eggs, 1 used in dough, 4 in filling)

Topping

• 1 1/4 cups Countryside Creamery half-and-half

Instructions

1. Prepare baking dish: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Brush the bottom and sides of a 9 X 13 inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon melted butter, ensuring it is well coated to prevent sticking.
2. Make the dough: In a stand mixer bowl, combine the flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 egg, 1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter, and 2/3 cup water. Attach the bread hook and mix on low for about 5 minutes until the ingredients form a smooth, tacky ball. Continue kneading in the mixer for another 2-3 minutes. If the dough feels too dry and not sticky, gradually add an additional 1-2 tablespoons of water. Brush the remaining butter around the dough and on the sides of the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for at least 15 minutes to relax the gluten.
3. Prepare cheese filling: In a separate large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, 1 1/2 cups shredded white cheddar, 4 eggs, dried thyme, garlic powder, nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly until evenly combined.
4. Roll out dough and assemble: Divide the rested dough into 4 equal pieces. Working with one piece at a time on a clean surface (no flour needed), roll and stretch the dough into a thin 9 X 13 inch rectangle, thin enough to see light through it. Spread one-quarter of the cheese mixture evenly over the dough rectangle. Starting from a short end, carefully fold the dough over in 1 1/2 to 2 inch increments, rolling it into a loose log. Gently lift the log by its ends and place it into the prepared baking dish.
5. Repeat and prepare for baking: Repeat the rolling, filling, and rolling process with the remaining dough pieces and cheese filling, placing all four logs side by side in the baking dish. Using a sharp knife, gently cut each log into 4 equal pieces. Pour the half-and-half evenly over the top of the assembled strukli, then sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top.
6. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. Bake until the tops are puffed up, golden brown, and cooked through even in the center of the pan. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before cutting and serving.

Notes

• Ensure the dough is rolled very thin to achieve the delicate texture traditional to strukli.
• If the dough is too dry during mixing, add water gradually to prevent it from becoming sticky or tough.
• You can prepare strukli in advance, refrigerate assembled logs in the dish, and bake them fresh when ready to serve.
• For a more intense flavor, consider using aged cheddar or a mix of cheeses.
• Be gentle when lifting and transferring the rolled dough logs to avoid tearing.
• Serves well as a side dish or main meal alongside a simple green salad.

Keywords: Croatian Strukli, cheese strukli, baked cheese pastry, traditional Croatian recipe, savory pastry, cottage cheese recipes, baked cheese rolls