Cherry Cottage Cheese Donuts

Directions

1. 1

   Step 1

   

   If using frozen cherries, thaw them in a colander beforehand to drain excess juice. Mash the cottage cheese with a fork or press through a sieve to remove lumps. Pour the oil for frying into a deep saucepan or a pot with a thick bottom—the oil layer should be at least 3–4 cm.

2. 2

   Step 2

   

   In a bowl, mix the eggs, sugar, and vanilla sugar. Whisk with a whisk until slightly foamy.

3. 3

   Step 3

   

   Add the cottage cheese and mix until smooth. It's okay if there are small cottage cheese lumps remaining.

4. 4

   Step 4

   

   Sift the flour with baking powder. Knead a soft dough. Do not add too much flour—the dough should be slightly sticky.

5. 5

   Step 5

   

   Dust the table with flour. Place the dough and roll it into a thick log 3–4 cm in diameter. Cut the log into 2 cm wide pieces—you'll get about 25 pieces.

6. 6

   Step 6

   

   Stretch each piece into a flat cake, place a cherry in the center. Roll into a ball to hide the berry inside.

7. 7

   Step 7

   

   Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat to 170–180 °C. Drop 4–5 balls into the oil at a time so they don't stick together. Fry, stirring with a slotted spoon, for 2–3 minutes until evenly golden brown on all sides.

   TipTo check if the oil is hot enough, drop a piece of white bread into it. If a golden crust forms in 30 seconds, the temperature is 160–170 °C; if in 30 seconds—180–190 °C. Instead of deep-frying, you can bake the donuts in the oven at 180 °C for 15–20 minutes.

8. 8

   Step 8

   

   Remove the donuts with a slotted spoon onto paper towels to remove excess fat. Immediately sprinkle generously with powdered sugar through a sieve.

9. 9

   Step 9

   

   Arrange the donuts in a pile and serve, sprinkling with additional powdered sugar and garnishing with mint leaves.