Estonian Vastlakukkel Recipe
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Loading... - Gerrit Brouwer
- 14 Apr 2025
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Vastlakukkel is a traditional Estonian pastry enjoyed during the celebration of Vastlapäev (Shrove Tuesday). These delightful cream-filled buns are typically made with sweet yeast dough and are a favorite treat leading up to Lent. Here’s how to make them at home.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 500 g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
- 75 g (1/3 cup) sugar
- 10 g (2 teaspoons) salt
- 10 g (1 packet) dry yeast
- 250 ml (1 cup) milk, warmed
- 75 g (1/3 cup) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
For the Filling:
- 300 ml (1 1/4 cups) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Topping:
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Optional: jam or fruit preserves for serving
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk and dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Add the melted butter, sugar, and eggs to the yeast mixture. Mix well.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball.
- Place the dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them. Cover and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Bake the buns for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
- In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
- Once the buns are completely cool, cut the tops off each bun to create a lid. Hollow out a small portion of the inside of each bun to make room for the cream filling.
- Fill each bun with whipped cream using a piping bag or a spoon. Replace the tops of the buns.
- Dust the filled buns with powdered sugar. Optionally, serve with jam or fruit preserves on the side.
Enjoy your homemade Vastlakukkel as a delicious treat during the festivities of Vastlapäev.
