Why Make This Recipe

Blintzes are a delicious treat that bring joy to breakfast and brunch tables around the world. These thin pancakes, filled with creamy cheese filling, are both fun to make and wonderful to eat. They have a lovely texture and flavor that can be customized with various toppings and sauces. By making your own blintzes at home, you gain control over the ingredients and can adjust the flavors to fit your taste. Not only are they a delightful breakfast option, but they can also be served as a dessert, making them versatile for different occasions.

How to Make Blintzes

Making blintzes is a straightforward process. You start with the cheese filling, then create a smooth batter for the crepes, cook the crepes, fill them, and finally pan-fry them until crispy. Let’s break it down step by step for clarity.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Pinch salt
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons butter (softened, plus more for toasting)
1 cup low-fat ricotta cheese
8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Berry sauce (optional)
Fresh berries (optional)
Powdered sugar (optional)
Lemon zest (optional)
Mint (optional)
Whipped cream (optional)
Applesauce (optional)
Syrup (optional)

Directions:

Cheese Filling: Start by making the cheese filling. In a large mixing bowl, combine the low-fat ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, egg yolk, lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Use a fork or a hand mixer to blend the ingredients until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Once mixed thoroughly, cover the bowl and chill it in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes. This will help the filling set up just enough to make it easier to use.
Make Batter: Next, it’s time to make the crepe batter. In a blender, add the milk, all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, pinch of salt, eggs, softened butter, and the remaining teaspoon of vanilla. Blend on high until all the ingredients are smoothly combined, and the batter has a thin consistency. This should take about 30 seconds to a minute. Once blended, let the batter sit for about 10 minutes. This helps to relax the flour and makes for a better texture when cooked.
Cook Crepes: Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease it with a small amount of butter. Once the skillet is hot, pour 1/4 cup of crepe batter into the pan, quickly swirling the pan around to spread the batter into a thin layer. Cook for about 1-2 minutes until the edges start to get golden and lift away from the skillet. Flip the crepe using a spatula and cook for another minute until the second side is golden as well. Once cooked, stack the crepes on a plate, and cover them with a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm while you cook the remaining crepes. You should yield about 8-10 crepes from this batter.
Add Filling: Take one crepe and lay it flat on a clean surface. Place a spoonful of the chilled cheese filling in the center of the crepe. Fold the sides in and roll it up tightly, much like a burrito. Repeat this process for each crepe until all the filling is used up.
Pan Fry: To get those blintzes nice and crispy, it’s time to pan-fry them. In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and add 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Place the filled blintzes seam-side down into the hot skillet. Cook them for about 3-4 minutes until the bottom side is golden brown and crispy. Carefully flip them over and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side.
Serve: Once cooked, transfer the blintzes to a serving platter. Serve them warm with your choice of toppings. You can add berry sauce, fresh berries, powdered sugar, lemon zest, mint leaves, whipped cream, applesauce, or syrup for a delicious finish.

How to Serve Blintzes

Blintzes are best served warm right after cooking. They can be plated individually or stacked on a platter. Consider arranging various toppings alongside to let your guests or family customize their plates. Fresh berries such as strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries can add a pop of color and freshness. A dusting of powdered sugar brings sweetness and a beautiful presentation. If you’re feeling fancy, a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of syrup can elevate the experience even further.

How to Store Blintzes

If you find yourself with leftovers, you can easily store them for later. Allow the blintzes to cool completely after cooking. Once cooled, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place them in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes on each side until they are warmed through. You can also use a microwave, but this may not maintain the crispy texture.

If you want to store blintzes for a longer time, you can freeze them. Assemble the blintzes but do not cook them. Wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply cook them straight from the freezer; you may need to add a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time.

Tips to Make Blintzes

Consistency of Batter: Ensure that your crepe batter is smooth and free of lumps. If you notice any lumps after blending, push the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove them for a silky texture.
Pan Temperature: Make sure your skillet is evenly heated before adding the batter. If it’s too hot, the crepes may cook too fast and become crispy without cooking the batter inside. If it’s too cool, they may not develop a nice golden color.
Avoid Overfilling: When adding the cheese filling to the crepes, use a moderate amount. Overfilling can make it difficult to roll them up securely.
Experimentation: Feel free to try different fillings! While the classic ricotta cheese filling is delicious, you can mix things up by adding ingredients like chocolate, fruit preserves, or even sautéed spinach for a savory twist.
Serving Size: Blintzes can be quite filling, so plan for about 2-3 blintzes per person when serving.

Variation

There are many ways to customize blintzes:

Sweet Variations: Mix in chocolate chips into the cheese filling or add fruits like mashed bananas, strawberries, or apples. You could also infuse the filling with spices like cinnamon for a warm flavor.
Savory Variations: For a savory version, consider using a mixture of cottage cheese and some herbs. Cooked spinach or sautéed mushrooms can also be great additions to the filling.
Gluten-Free or Dairy-Free: To make gluten-free blintzes, switch out the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend. For a dairy-free option, look for non-dairy cream cheese substitutes and use almond or oat milk instead of cow’s milk.

FAQs

1. Can I make the blintz batter in advance?
Yes, you can make the batter ahead of time. Store the batter in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Give it a quick stir before using to ensure it’s well mixed.

2. What toppings can I use?
You can use a variety of toppings, including berry sauce, fresh fruit, syrup, powdered sugar, applesauce, or whipped cream. The choice of toppings really comes down to your personal preference!

3. Can I freeze cooked blintzes?
Yes, you can freeze cooked blintzes. Allow them to cool completely, then wrap them tightly and store them in the freezer. They can be reheated later in a skillet or oven.

4. How do I know when the crepe is ready to flip?
The crepe is ready to flip when the edges look set and slightly crispy, and bubbles start to form in the batter. This generally takes 1-2 minutes.

5. What if my crepes are tearing?
If your crepes are tearing, it may be that the batter is too thick or the skillet is too hot. Make sure to blend the batter until it’s well combined and thin, and adjust the heat on your skillet to a medium temperature.

Enjoy making your blintzes! They can be a delightful addition to your culinary repertoire, offering a sweet or savory option that everyone can love.

Blintzes

Author: ethanmiller
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Delicious blintzes filled with creamy cheese, perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

1 1/4 cups milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Pinch salt
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons butter (softened, plus more for toasting)
1 cup low-fat ricotta cheese
8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Berry sauce (optional)
Fresh berries (optional)
Powdered sugar (optional)
Lemon zest (optional)
Mint (optional)
Whipped cream (optional)
Applesauce (optional)
Syrup (optional)

Instructions

Start by making the cheese filling. In a large mixing bowl, combine the low-fat ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, egg yolk, lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Blend until smooth and creamy, then chill for about 20-30 minutes.
Next, make the crepe batter. In a blender, combine milk, all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, pinch of salt, eggs, softened butter, and the remaining teaspoon of vanilla. Blend until smooth, then let sit for 10 minutes.
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease with butter. Pour 1/4 cup of batter into the skillet, swirling to spread into a thin layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the edges lift, flip and cook for another minute until golden. Stack crepes on a plate and cover with a towel.
Take one crepe and lay it flat. Place a spoonful of cheese filling in the center, fold the sides, and roll it up tightly. Repeat with remaining crepes.
To pan-fry the blintzes, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of oil in the skillet over medium heat. Place the blintzes seam-side down, cooking for 3-4 minutes until golden, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
Transfer the blintzes to a serving platter and serve warm with your choice of toppings.

Notes

Blintzes can be customized with various fillings and toppings. They are best served warm and can be stored or frozen for later.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Pan Frying
Cuisine: Jewish

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 250
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 320mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 8g
Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: blintzes, cheese filling, pancakes, breakfast, brunch, dessert