Directions
Štrukli is the ultimate Croatian comfort food, simple yet deeply satisfying. Imagine wrapping up creamy cottage cheese, eggs, and a dollop of sour cream in delicate dough. You either boil these pockets to a dumpling-like consistency or bake them until they’re golden and irresistible.
Each ingredient plays a role: the cottage cheese offers a creamy base, the eggs keep everything together, and the sour cream adds that tangy kick.
The dish hails from the hilly regions of Zagorje and Međimurje in northern Croatia but has been heartily adopted all over the country, even earning a spot on tables in the capital, Zagreb.
The sweet side of the moon
Štrukli is not solely confined to Croatian cuisine; its comforting embrace extends across the entire Balkan region. You’ll find variations of this beloved dish in Slovenia, in the Karst plateau, and even in Friuli, a northeastern region of Italy. While the classic version usually features a savory cheese filling, there are also sweet variations. These sweet Štrukli keep the base of cottage cheese but add delightful elements like raisins, walnuts, berries, or fresh fruit to create a dessert as comforting as its savory counterpart.
Ingredients
- 500g all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 250g cottage cheese (or quark)
- 200ml sour cream
- 100g unsalted butter
- salt to taste
- 1 cup water for dough
- Extra water for boiling
Time Preparation
Preparation Time: 45 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Instructions
- Combine flour, a pinch of salt, and water in a large bowl. Knead until you have a smooth dough. Leave it to rest for 20 minutes.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface. Gently stretch it until it’s about 1/8-inch thick. You can also use your fingers to carefully pull at the edges, stretching it out even more thinly if possible.
For the Filling
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a separate bowl, mix cottage cheese, one egg, and a pinch of salt. You can add herbs like parsley or dill for extra flavor if you wish.
- Spread the cheese mixture over the stretched dough. Roll the dough lengthwise, then cut it into roughly 2-inch pieces.
- Grease an oven-safe dish with a bit of butter.
- Cooking the Štrukli:
Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Carefully drop the rolled dough pieces into the boiling water. Boil for about 5 minutes or until they float to the top. - Remove the boiled Štrukli with a slotted spoon and arrange them in the greased oven-safe dish.
- Beat an egg with sour cream and pour it over the arranged Štrukli. Dot with butter.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown.
- Serve hot, as a main or a side dish.
What wine goes wine with Štrukli?
Calories: Approximately 260 calories per 100g
Protein: Approximately 9g per 100g
