Syrnyky

Syrnyky are a beloved and traditional dish of Ukrainian cuisine, tender ruddy fritters made of curd cheese. It is a classic of the home breakfast, combining ease of preparation with wonderful flavour and nourishment.

The base of syrnyky is fresh home-made curd cheese, which is mashed with egg, sugar, and a little flour or semolina to bind the mass. Small round cakes are formed from the dough, rolled in flour, and fried in a pan to a golden crust, and sometimes finished in the oven so they stay tender inside. The flavour of syrnyky is soft, creamy, pleasantly sweet. Raisins, vanilla, lemon zest, or pieces of fruit are often added to the dough. They are served necessarily warm, with sour cream, condensed milk, honey, jam, berries, or fruit sauces. Syrnyky are not only a tasty but also a wholesome dish, rich in protein and calcium, so they are often made for children. This cosy dish, familiar from childhood, is the embodiment of the caring, generous home cooking of Ukraine.