Blueberry and Cottage Cheese Pastries

Ingredients

Pastries

500 grams (17.6 ounces) puff pastry
300 grams (10.6 ounces) cottage cheese
2 eggs
120 grams (4.2 ounces) sugar
10 grams (0.35 ounces) vanilla sugar
20 grams (0.7 ounces) cornstarch
1 teaspoon (2 grams) lemon zest
20 milliliters (0.68 fluid ounces) lemon juice
100 grams (3.5 ounces) blueberries

Equipment

Rolling Pin
A sturdy rolling pin is essential for rolling out your puff pastry smoothly. Tip: lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking.
Muffin Tins
Use non-stick or silicone muffin tins to achieve perfectly shaped pastries. Tip: lightly grease the tins if not using non-stick to ensure easy removal.
Wire Rack
A wire rack helps cool the pastries evenly and keeps the bottoms from getting soggy. Tip: gently transfer pastries using a spatula to avoid breaking them.
Mixing Bowls
Mixing bowls of various sizes for different stages of your recipe. Tip: glass or ceramic bowls are great for keeping the batter cool and easy to clean.

Instructions

Step 1

Slightly thaw the puff pastry. Roll out one half of the pastry into a tight roll. Repeat with the second half. Thawing the pastry just enough makes it easier to handle without sticking.

Step 2

Place one roll of pastry along the edge of the other and roll them together tightly. Cut into pieces about 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) wide. Roll each piece into a circle and place in muffin tins. Refrigerate. Chilling the dough helps it hold its shape better during baking.

Step 3

In a bowl, beat the eggs with sugar and vanilla sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This might take a few minutes; look for a pale yellow color and a good amount of volume.

Step 4

Add cottage cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Gently mix to combine. Mix just until combined to avoid breaking down the cottage cheese too much.

Step 5

Add cornstarch and blend until smooth. Fold in the blueberries gently. Be careful not to crush the blueberries as they can bleed into the mixture.

Step 6

Fill the pastry circles with the cheese and blueberry mixture. Do not overfill; leave some space for the filling to expand in the oven.

Step 7

Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (392°F) for 20-25 minutes. The filling will rise during baking but will settle as it cools. Keep an eye on them towards the end to avoid over-baking.

Step 8

Cool the pastries on a wire rack. Cooling on a wire rack helps prevent the bottoms from becoming soggy.

Servings

Imagine a sunny Sunday morning with a steaming cup of coffee ☕️, and right next to it, one of these delicious blueberry cheese pastries. The combo is pure magic! 🌟 Or, if brunch is more your style, serve these pastries with a side of scrambled eggs 🥚, fresh fruit salad 🍓, and maybe even a mimosa 🍾🍊. Hosting a lunch? Pair the pastries with a crisp garden salad 🥗. The contrast of the savory salad and sweet, cheesy pastry will leave your guests raving about your culinary skills long after the meal is over. Feeling fancy for dessert? Top your pastries with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprig of mint 🌿 for a restaurant-quality presentation. Either way, these pastries are versatile and fit beautifully into any meal of the day!

Variations

Looking for gluten-free options? No worries! Use gluten-free puff pastry and replace regular cornstarch with a gluten-free alternative.

Vegan? We've got you covered! 🌱 Substitute the cottage cheese with a vegan cream cheese alternative and use a flaxseed meal mixed with water as an egg replacement. Many brands also offer vegan puff pastry, or you can make your own!

Lastly, replace sugar with coconut sugar or your favorite sweetener for a healthier twist.

Faq

Can I use frozen blueberries?
Yes, but be sure to thaw and drain them first to avoid excess moisture in the filling.
Do I need to pre-cook the pastry dough?
No, you can bake it directly with the filling inside for perfectly crispy results.
What if I don't have muffin tins?
You can use any small oven-safe dishes or even form pastry cups on a baking sheet.
How can I make the filling smoother?
Blend the cottage cheese in a food processor before mixing if you prefer a less textured filling.
Can I add other fruits?
Absolutely! Strawberries, raspberries, or even diced apples would make delicious variations.
Why did my pastry not rise properly?
Make sure your oven is fully preheated and avoid opening the door while baking to maintain the necessary temperature.