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Cherry dumplings with water and vegetable oil

Cherry Vareniki (Boiled Dumplings) with Hot-Water Dough

A childhood favorite that's just as welcome at an everyday table as it is at a holiday spread! Cherry vareniki — Eastern European boiled dumplings — have been my go-to since I was a kid. I still remember my grandmother spoiling us during summer break with a big batch, served with cherries and sour cream. When I finally tried this hot-water dough, I was won over: I think it would be just as good for savory dumplings or fried turnovers. It's soft, stretchy, and a dream to work with — it pinches shut without a fight. Skip the sour cream and butter and you've got a light, meatless dish; for me, though, vareniki are only right with a dollop of sour cream, while my son swears by butter and sugar. There's no arguing taste — so you can keep these on the lighter side, or go all in for a proper feast.

Tatiana Maslova

Recipe author

Cherry dumplings with water and vegetable oil

Composition / ingredients

Servings:

Wheat flour

300

Water (boiling)

250

Vegetable oil

Salt

0.5

Baking soda

0.5

Cherries (with pits)

400

Sugar

Translation table of volumetric measures

Nutrients and energy value of the composition of the recipe

By weight of the composition:

Proteins 7 % 4 g

Fats 10 % 6 g

Carbohydrates 83 % 48 g

177 kcal

GI: 50 / 0 / 50

Cooking method

Step 1:

Gather everything you'll need to make the vareniki.
Step 2:

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda.
Step 3:

Pour the boiling water and the vegetable oil over the flour mixture and stir quickly while it's still hot.
Step 4:

Once it has cooled enough to handle, knead it by hand and shape it into a ball. Set it aside to rest while you make the filling.
Step 5:

Pit the cherries — and the filling is ready.
Step 6:

The dough is very stretchy and rolls and pinches easily. Roll out a large sheet about 3-4 mm (1/8 inch) thick. Use a drinking glass to cut out rounds for the dumplings.
Step 7:

Place 2-3 pitted cherries on each round and sprinkle with sugar to taste.
Step 8:

Pinch the dumplings closed. Drop the finished vareniki into lightly salted boiling water; once they float to the top, cook for another 2-3 minutes, then lift them out.
Step 9:

Serve the vareniki sprinkled with sugar, or with sour cream or melted butter.