Blini. Photo credit: Andrevan
Whether you enjoy international holiday customs or like discovering the sweetness of another culture, Russia is certainly a prime candidate for sampling unique desserts. A great deal of Russian desserts display influences from Western European countries – a trend jumpstarted during the 18th century by Peter the Great’s affection for the history of the Dutch, Germans, Swedes, and the French.
Paskha
Served during the Easter season, Paskha is a traditional dessert comprised of soft cheese and dried fruit. The whiteness of the soft cheese is used to symbolize the purity of Christ and the Pashal lamb. Other ingredients added to the dessert may include butter, eggs, sour cream, almonds, vanilla, raisins, spices, and candied fruits.
Vareniki
Baked desserts are also popular in Russia. Vareniki are small sweet pies and dumplings filled with preserved fruit (or tvorog – a dry soft cheese). Vareniki are often served as a sweet luncheon dish or as an accompaniment for afternoon tea. It is suggested to serve this treat with sour cream and sugar.
Vatrushka
A ring of dough offers the shape of a cake called vatrushk, which possesses a center made out of tvorog (cottage cheese). Sometimes, raisins or small pieces of fruit are part of the ingredient list. The cake can measure from around five inches to two and a half feet in diameter.
Blini
Also called a “Russian pancake,” blinis are a thin creation that looks much like a crepe. However, yeast is used to make blini, whereas crepes do not possess this ingredient. Traditional Russian blini use yeasted batter, which is left to rise, and then later diluted with cold or boiling water (or milk). The pancakes are then baked in an oven or pan-fried. The pancakes are often served with sour cream, jam or condensed milk. An example of fried blini is shown above.
Syrniki
Another fried pancake dessert in Russia is called syrniki (also referred to as “tvorog burgers”) because they are made of tvorog cheese, and then fried in a saucepan – like a hamburger. Sometimes, raisins are added to the cheese mixture for extra flavor. Syrniki is usually paired with honey, sweet dressings, apple sauce, or jam.
