BOILED SWEET CHEESE DUMPLINGS FILLED WITH FRUIT AND TOASTED BREADCRUMBS

If you enjoyed boiled papanasi, you’ll love this fruity version! Perfect for filling with small apricots, strawberries, or plums, these dumplings combine a tender cheese dough with a sweet, juicy center. Coated in warm, buttery toasted breadcrumbs, they make a delightful dessert served warm or cold.

🕒 Prep Time: 30 min

🍳 Cook Time: 5-7 min
🍽️ Yields: 12 dumplings

Ingredients

Dough & Filling:

12 small apricots (or strawberries/plums)
250 g fresh cottage cheese (or farmer’s cheese)
50 g unsalted butter
1 heaping tbsp sugar
50 g semolina
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
60 g all-purpose flour
6 tsp brown sugar (for filling centers)

Breadcrumb Coating:

100 g golden breadcrumbs
50 g unsalted butter
2 tbsp poppy seeds
2 tbsp sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

Cream the butter and sugar until softened. Add semolina and cheese, kneading by hand until uniform.
Stir in vanilla and egg yolk until combined, then add flour to form a dough ball. Chill dough in the refrigerator while preparing the rest.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
In a wide pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and poppy seeds, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes until golden. Stir in sugar and cinnamon, then remove from heat.
Halve the apricots and remove pits. Place about ½ teaspoon brown sugar (or molasses) inside each half.
Lightly flour your work surface and hands. Divide dough into 12 equal pieces, rolling each into a ball. Flatten each ball into a disc using the bottom of a glass, then place an apricot half in the center.
Fold the dough around the fruit, sealing and shaping into smooth balls.
Gently drop the dumplings into simmering water (not boiling). Cook until they float, about 5 minutes, gently shaking the pot occasionally to prevent sticking.
Using a slotted spoon, remove 2-3 dumplings at a time and roll them in the warm breadcrumb mixture until fully coated.
Serve warm or cold.

Note: The sugar inside the dumplings melts into syrup, so be careful when eating to avoid drips!

💡 Tips

Use ripe but firm fruit to maintain shape during cooking.
Chilling dough helps with handling and shaping.
Poppy seeds add an aromatic crunch to the breadcrumb coating.
Handle dumplings gently—they’re delicate when hot.

🍽️ Perfect For

Sweet traditional Eastern European desserts
Family gatherings and festive occasions
Comfort food with fresh fruit surprises

📝 Final Thoughts

These boiled sweet cheese dumplings filled with juicy fruit and coated in buttery toasted breadcrumbs deliver a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Their warm, syrupy centers and crunchy coating make them a memorable treat for any dessert table.