Sweet Cherry Filled Buns (Vatrushki Recipe)

Step 1

In the bowl of an electric mixer, add 1 cup warm milk and sprinkle the top with 1/2 Tbsp yeast and let sit 5-7 minutes for the yeast to activate.

Step 2

Stir in 1/2 cup flour and 2 Tbsp sugar and whisk until blended, then let rise in a warm 100˚F oven for 20 minutes (or at room temp 30-45 mins).

Step 3

Whisk in 1 egg, remaining 2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp melted butter and 1/2 tsp salt. Now using the dough hook, add remaining 2 3/4 cups flour, 1 cup at a time, allowing it to fully incorporate between each addition. Add the last bit of flour slowly. You know the dough is perfect when it is no longer sticking to the walls of the mixer. Do not add more flour past this point. Note: not all flour is created equal so add flour until it's not sticking to the mixing bowl. Continue mixing your dough with the dough hook on low speed 15 minutes.

Step 4

Cover your mixing bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm 100˚F oven for 1 hour (or at room temp 2 hours) . Be patient and your dough should triple in volume.

Step 5

Transfer the dough to a good non-stick surface and cut it in half. Working with one piece at a time, cut each piece in half, then in half again. Repeat with the rest of the dough to make a total of 16 pieces from the entire dough. Shape the dough into balls.

Step 6

Butter a baking dish (either 2 round cake pans, or one (9xrimmed baking pan). Place balls of dough ,evenly spaced in your baking dish(es). Push a narrow drinking glass or a small ramekin over the center of each dough round to make a well in the center.

Step 7

Place 4 cherries into each well and sprinkle each bun with 1/2 tsp sugar. Let rise in a warm 100˚ oven for 20 minutes until they look puffy (30-45 minutes at room temp).

Step 8

Make the Crumb Mixture: Combine crumb mixture ingredients in a medium bowl and use a pastry cutter or rub together with your fingers until small crumbs form.

Step 9

Brush the buns with egg wash and sprinkle the tops generously with the crumb mixture. Bake at 360˚F for 20-22 min or until tops are golden brown.