These heavenly soft sweet rolls filled with creamy cottage cheese are the perfect addition to your Christmas table or any special occasion. With their golden, glossy exterior and tender, pillowy texture, these rolls combine the comfort of homemade bread with a delightfully creamy filling. The secret lies in the enriched yeast dough that creates an incredibly light and airy texture, while the cottage cheese filling provides a subtle sweetness and rich flavor that makes these rolls absolutely irresistible.
Ingredients
For the Yeast Mixture:
- 200ml (3/4 cup + 1 tbsp) warm water
- 200ml (3/4 cup + 1 tbsp) warm milk
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 8g (1 packet) active dry yeast
For the Dough:
- 2 large eggs
- 150ml (2/3 cup) vegetable oil
- 750g (6 cups) all-purpose flour, divided (500g + 250g)
- 1 tsp salt
- Additional flour for dusting
- Extra vegetable oil for greasing
For the Cottage Cheese Filling:
- 400g (14 oz) cottage cheese
- 2 tbsp ricotta cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tsp milk
Instructions
Preparing the Yeast Mixture
- In a large bowl, combine warm water, warm milk, sugar, and dry yeast. Mix well until sugar dissolves.
- Cover with a kitchen towel and let stand for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is activated. Stir again.
Making the Dough
- Add eggs and vegetable oil to the yeast mixture, whisking until well combined.
- Sift 500g of flour through a fine sieve into the bowl. Add salt and mix everything together until a rough dough forms.
- Gradually add the remaining 250g of flour, mixing with a spatula until the dough comes together.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and medium-soft in texture.
- Shape the dough into a ball and place in a bowl greased with vegetable oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
Preparing the Filling
- While the dough rises, prepare the filling by combining cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and freshly chopped parsley in a bowl. Mix well and divide into 20 equal portions.
Shaping the Rolls
- After the first rise, punch down the dough and divide into 4 equal parts. Shape each part into a ball and let rest covered for 10-15 minutes.
- On a floured surface, roll out each portion of dough into a circle approximately 18-20cm in diameter.
- Brush the surface with oil, place another rolled circle on top, brush with oil again, then roll up tightly.
- Place on a baking tray, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Assembly and Final Rise
- Remove from refrigerator and slice each roll into 5 pieces. Roll each piece into a circle and place a portion of cottage cheese filling in the center.
- Gather the edges and pinch to seal, then shape into neat buns with the seam side down.
- Place on baking trays lined with parchment paper, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.
Baking
- Preheat oven to 180°C (356°F).
- Whisk together egg yolk and milk to create the egg wash. Brush the surface of each roll generously.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Time and Serving Information
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 20 rolls
Nutrition (per roll)
Calories: 195 | Protein: 8g | Carbs: 28g | Fat: 6g | Fiber: 1g
Why This Recipe Is So Good
These cottage cheese sweet rolls offer the perfect balance of nutrition and indulgence. The enriched yeast dough provides complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, while the eggs and milk add high-quality protein and essential nutrients like vitamin D and calcium. The cottage cheese filling is an excellent source of protein and probiotics, supporting muscle health and digestive wellness.
The extended fermentation process not only develops incredible flavor but also makes the bread more digestible by breaking down complex starches. The addition of fresh parsley provides vitamin K, vitamin C, and antioxidants, while adding a subtle herbal note that complements the creamy filling beautifully.
These rolls are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed warm from the oven as a breakfast treat, served alongside soups and salads for lunch, or presented as an elegant addition to holiday meals. The soft, pillowy texture and rich flavor make them appealing to all ages, while the individual serving size makes them perfect for entertaining.
The recipe’s make-ahead friendly nature allows you to prepare the dough in advance, making it ideal for busy holiday schedules. These rolls freeze beautifully and can be reheated for fresh-baked taste anytime, ensuring you always have a delicious homemade treat on hand.