During my pregnancy with our daughter Birdy, when every food aroma made me feel nauseous, we dined at an IHOP and I opted for the blintzes with fruit compote, managing to eat them while a chorus of animated bluebirds flitted around me, singing. This illustrates my affection for blintzes — crêpes filled with delicately sweetened cottage cheese and adorned with fruit or jam.
Unfortunately, they’ve been taken off the IHOP menu, and I lack the motivation to create, fill, and roll crêpes. However, these cottage cheese pancakes provide the tangy softness I’m after. Additionally, they’re protein-rich and incredibly simple to prepare, provided you can tolerate the wait for the pan to reach the right temperature, which hinges on your skills as a pancake maker. They end up with these beautifully lacy, buttery edges, and honestly, I could eat them non-stop.
Birdy enjoys them as well (thanks to the blintzes during her time in utero, of course), and we frequently go through periods of making and devouring them, even when she’s usually off at college, which means “we” mostly translates to “I” (sigh). However, today, my adored nephew Sam visited, so I filled him up with pancakes and felt truly joyful.
This recipe generously serves two; it’s easily adaptable to double or halve. Fun fact: blini, similar to a blintz, is actually a valid word in Spelling Bees, as is the somewhat puzzling plural blin.
Pancakes That Taste Like Blintzes
Serves 2
2/3 cup full-fat (4%) cottage cheese
2 eggs
2 tablespoons flour (all-purpose or gluten-free)
1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter (plus additional butter for greasing the pan and serving)
Scant ½ teaspoon kosher salt (or ¼ teaspoon table salt)
Butter, fruit, sour cream, and/or preserves for topping, as desired
1. Preheat a skillet, large pan, or griddle on medium-low heat while you mix the batter.
2. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until the mixture is liquid and uniform. This should be a thin batter, which is precisely what you want.
3. Grease the hot skillet with butter, then pour small amounts of batter from the blender to form 3- or 4-inch circles. Cook until the bottom is a deep golden and the edges start to look dry, then flip and cook until the other side is golden (about 5 minutes total). If desired, keep these warm on a plate in a 275-degree oven while you finish cooking the rest. Repeat with remaining batter.
4. Serve with butter and fruit, or sour cream and preserves, or — honestly, my favorite way — simply plain.
P.S. Catherine’s cheerful, chaotic house tour, three easy breakfasts, and zucchini muffins perfect for school.
# **Pancakes with a Blintz Twist: A Tasty Variation on a Classic Dish**
Pancakes are a cherished breakfast favorite enjoyed globally, but if you wish to enhance your morning experience, blintz-flavored pancakes are an excellent option. Drawing inspiration from the classic Eastern European cheese blintz, these pancakes merge the rich, creamy filling of a blintz with the airy texture of traditional pancakes. The outcome is a luxurious, flavorful dish suitable for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert.
## **What Exactly Are Blintzes?**
Blintzes are delicate, crepe-like pancakes usually filled with a sweet cheese mixture, folded into a rectangle, and pan-fried until they achieve a golden-brown hue. They are frequently topped with fruits, sour cream, or powdered sugar. The filling typically comprises ricotta, cottage cheese, or farmer’s cheese, sweetened with sugar and infused with vanilla and lemon zest.
## **Blintz-Flavored Pancakes: A Flavor Fusion**
Blintz-flavored pancakes encapsulate the essence of a cheese blintz and blend it into traditional pancake batter. Rather than enveloping or folding the pancakes around a filling, the flavors are directly incorporated into the batter or layered between pancake stacks. This results in a dish that boasts all the creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet notes of a blintz while retaining the soft, fluffy texture reminiscent of pancakes.
## **Making Blintz-Flavored Pancakes**
### **Ingredients:**
For the Pancakes:
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 tablespoon sugar
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– ½ teaspoon baking soda
– ¼ teaspoon salt
– 1 cup buttermilk
– 1 egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 2 tablespoons melted butter
For the Blintz Filling:
– ½ cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
– ¼ cup cream cheese, softened
– 2 tablespoons sugar
– ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
– ½ teaspoon lemon zest
For Toppings:
– Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries)
– Powdered sugar
– Maple syrup or fruit compote
– Sour cream (optional)
### **Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Filling:**
– Combine the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
2. **Create the Pancake Batter:**
– In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
– In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, egg, vanilla extract, and melted butter.
– Gradually incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until combined. Don’t overmix; a few lumps are acceptable.
3. **Cook the Pancakes:**
– Warm a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter or cooking spray.
– Pour approximately ¼ cup of batter onto the skillet for each pancake.
– Allow to cook until bubbles appear on the surface and the edges firm up, about 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
4. **Assemble the Pancakes:**
– Place a spoonful of the blintz filling between each layer of pancakes or dollop it atop.
– Decorate with fresh berries, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, and a drizzle of maple syrup or fruit compote.
5. **Serve and Savor:**
– Enjoy warm, optionally accompanied by a side of sour cream.
## **Why You’ll Adore Blintz-Flavored Pancakes**
– **Luscious and Creamy Taste:** The blend of ricotta and cream cheese produces a rich, slightly tangy flavor that balances sweetness perfectly.
– **Light Yet Indulgent:** The pancakes are fluffy and airy while still providing a sense of luxury.
– **Adaptable and Customizable:** Experiment with various toppings like honey, nuts, or cinnamon based on your preferences.
– **Ideal for Any Occasion:** Whether for a leisurely weekend brunch or a special breakfast treat, these pancakes are bound to impress.
Blintz-flavored pancakes present a delightful fusion of two classic cuisines, merging the finest elements of both worlds. Give this recipe a try the next time you want to elevate your breakfast experience with a touch of sophistication and indulgence!
