Print

Croatian Cheese Strukli Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 120 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://cookwithyana.com/croatian-cheese-strukli-recipe/