Ukrainian · Breakfast & brunch

Syrniki

Name: Syrniki
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 1 h 8 min
Yield: 12 cakes
Cuisine: Ukrainian
Ingredients: 1 pound full-fat farmer cheese or tvorog; 1 large egg; 3 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, divided; 2 tablespoons fine semolina; 3 tablespoons neutral oil, divided; Sour cream and berry preserves, for serving

Ukrainian farmer-cheese cakes with a caramelized crust, tender center, sour cream, and berry preserves.

About 1 hr 10 minTotal

About 40 minActive

$Cost

ModerateDifficulty

Makes 12 cakes

Equipment

Use another sound 10-inch nonstick skillet with low sides and only a thin film of oil.
Best crepe-ready starting point
OXO Enhanced 10-Inch Frying Pan
View at Amazon
Another workable path: Use another sound 10-inch nonstick skillet with low sides and only a thin film of oil.
Paid links. As an Amazon Associate, Kwilt earns from qualifying purchases.
How we chose
Research-backed · reviewed Aug 2026
We matched the exact 10-inch diameter, low-sided shape, nonstick release, stable model identity, care burden, and exact Amazon destination to the thin-crepe Recipes. Kwilt has not cooked with this pan.
OXO Enhanced 10-Inch Frying Pan: The 10-inch cooking surface matches the jianbing method, while the low sides and nonstick release support fast spreading, flipping, and folding without tearing a thin wrapper. Trade-off: Ceramic nonstick coatings are wear items and need moderate heat and nonmetal tools; this is not a buy-it-for-life pan.
Another workable path: Use another low-sided 10-inch nonstick skillet in good condition, wiping it with only a film of oil before each crepe.
Sources
OXO Enhanced nonstick cookware collection
Amazon exact product listing

Ingredients

1× recipe · Makes 12 cakes

1 pound full-fat farmer cheese or tvorog
1 large egg
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, divided
2 tablespoons fine semolina
3 tablespoons neutral oil, divided
Sour cream and berry preserves, for serving

Instructions

Drain cheese in a lined sieve for 30 minutes if it releases visible whey, then press with a fork until evenly crumbly rather than puréed.
Mix cheese, egg, sugar, vanilla, salt, 1/4 cup flour, and semolina only until cohesive. Rest 10 minutes so the semolina absorbs moisture.
Dust the counter with remaining flour. Divide mixture into 12 portions and shape 3/4-inch-thick rounds, coating the outsides lightly and brushing away excess flour.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a over medium-low. Cook in batches, adding oil as needed, until deeply golden and the centers reach 160°F, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
Rest 2 minutes and serve warm with cool sour cream and berry preserves.