Perfect Blintz Batter Recipes

PERFECT BLINTZ BATTER

Steps:

• In a medium bowl lightly beat eggs, then whisk in water, milk, salt, 2 teaspoons sugar and vanilla (if using) until well blended.
• Sift the flour and baking powder, then stir into the egg ingredients; whisk until thick (the batter should resemble thick unwhipped whipping cream).
• Stir in melted butter.
• Let the batter sit out at room temperature for 20 minutes or until it comes to room temperature and the bubbles settle.
• Lightly butter a 8-inch skillet on medium heat.
• Add in about 3-4 tablespoons batter and swirl to coat the bottom of the skillet.
• Cook until the bottom is set and light browned (these will cook very fast!).
• Flip the blintz over and cook for about 30 seconds.
• Repeat with remaining batter.
• *NOTE* You can cool these and then place on a baking sheet, freeze them then transfer to a plastic bag.

BLINTZES

Steps:

• With a whisk, beat eggs and milk together and add the salt. Gradually, a tablespoonful at a time, whisk in flour and beat until smooth. Heat a 6inch skillet and butter it lightly. Pour in enough batter to make a thin pancake. (If batter is too thick, add water to thin) Pour out excess back into the batter and don't worry if a "tab" forms on the side of the pan.
• Cook the blintz on one side only until the top blisters and it looks dry around the edges. Turn the blintz upside down onto a clean towel. Rebutter the skillet if need be, every 2 or 3 blintzes, and proceed until all the batter has been used up.
• Make assorted fillings, roll up and fry, or bake or freeze for another day.

CHEF JOHN'S CHEESE BLINTZES

Steps:

• Place 3 eggs, flour, milk, water, vegetable oil, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract in a blender. Blend until completely smooth, 1 or 2 minutes, scraping down sides as needed. Let batter sit at room temperature 30 minutes.
• Whisk together ricotta cheese, cream cheese, lemon zest, egg, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl. Mix together thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate.
• Heat a 10-inch, non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Spray or brush lightly with vegetable oil. Pour in about 1/4 cup batter. Immediately swirl batter around to coat bottom of pan. Cook until surface looks dry, about 1 minute. Flip crepe over to briefly cook other side, about 30 seconds. Remove to a plate. Repeat with the rest of batter. Stack crepes.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly butter a baking dish.
• Spoon 3 to 4 tablespoons of filling onto the crepe, about an inch from edge nearest you. Fold edge over filling and flatten slightly. Fold in both sides, then roll up crepe into a small filled rectangle, ending with the seam on the bottom, creating a blintz.
• Melt butter in skillet over medium heat. Cook the blintzes until golden brown on both sides, turning gently, about 2 minutes. Transfer to buttered baking dish.
• Bake in preheated oven to firm up the filling, about 12 minutes. Cool blintzes 10 minutes before serving. Dust lightly with confectioners' sugar.

MAKE-AHEAD BLINTZ CASSEROLE

Steps:

• For filling, place first 6 ingredients in a food processor; process until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl., Place batter ingredients in food processor; process until smooth. Pour half of the batter into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Drop tablespoons of filling over batter; cover with remaining batter. Refrigerate, several hours or overnight., Preheat oven to 350°. Remove casserole from refrigerator while oven heats. Bake 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add apples and lemon juice. Cook and stir 5-7 minutes or until apples are tender. Add brown sugar and salt; cook 1 minute longer or until thickened. Stir in extract; cool slightly. Serve with casserole.

BAKED BLINTZ

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375* F. Butter and flour a 9x13 inch casserole pan.
• To make filling: In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese. Add cottage cheese, 1 egg, 1 tbsp sugar, and vanilla. Beat together and set aside.
• To make batter: In a large bowl, cream together butter and 1/3 c sugar. Add the 4 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in flour and baking powder. Add yogurt, sour cream, and orange juice and mix well.
• Pour 1/2 the batter into the casserole. Spread filling over batter. Pour remaining batter over top.
• Bake at 375* F for 45-50 minutes or until lightly browned. Cut into squares and serve garnished with dollops of sour cream and preserves.

OVERNIGHT BLINTZ BAKE

Steps:

• Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In medium bowl, stir all filling ingredients until well blended; set aside.
• In medium bowl, stir all batter ingredients with wire whisk or fork until well blended. Pour batter into baking dish. Pour filling evenly over batter. Cover; refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Heat oven to 325°F. Uncover baking dish; bake 55 to 60 minutes or until golden brown and center is set. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Top servings with sour cream and strawberry preserves.

QUICK-AND-EASY CHEESE BLINTZ CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9 by 13-inch baking dish or coat it with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a blender or a food processor (fitted with a steel blade), combine all batter ingredients. Process until very smooth, scraping down the sides of the container once or twice. Measure out 1 1/2 cups of the batter, and pour it into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees forabout 10 minutes, or until it is set.
• Meanwhile, combine all the filling ingredients in a large bowl, and mix them well. When the bottom layer has set, remove it from the oven and spread the filling over it, smoothing the top. Give the remaining batter a brief stir to resuspend the ingredients; then very slowly pour it over the cheese filling so the filling is completely covered. Carefully return the casserole to the 350 degree oven, and bake an additional 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is puffed and set.
• Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before cutting it into squares. Serve with your choice of accompaniments.