I'm amazed at how superior your vanilla is!
– Des, The Grommet
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Courtesy of Elinor Klivans
This Baked Blintz has a traditional filling that cooks between two layers of a batter that becomes soft, crisp and crepe-like when baked. It was the main dish at our daughter’s wedding brunch—need I say more?
For the Batter
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1/4 cup milk, any fat content is okay
1 teaspoon Rain’s Choice pure Vanilla Extract
For the Filling
2 pounds ricotta cheese
1/2 pound small curd cottage cheese
2 large eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
fresh berries or blueberry jam, optional
Position a rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
Butter the bottom and sides of a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan or ovenproof glass or ceramic dish.
Put the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a large bowl and together. Add the melted butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla, and use a large spoon to stir the mixture until the ingredients are combined and smooth. Pour 1 1/4 cups of the batter in the bottom of the prepared pan, tilting the pan to spread it evenly. Set the remainder of the mixture aside while you prepare the filling.
Put the ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, eggs, sugar, salt, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Stir the mixture until the ingredients are blended together. Spread the filling evenly over the batter in the pan. A thin metal spatula works well for spreading it. Spread the remaining batter evenly over the ricotta cheese mixture. It will not cover the top completely, but spreads evenly during baking.
Bake the blintz for about 1-1/2 hours, or until the edges look brown and crisp and bubble gently. The top will be golden. Use a large serving spoon to serve the hot blintz. Serve with fresh strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries, or pass blueberry jam, if desired.
Makes 10 to 12 Servings
I was given a small bottle of Rain’s Choice in a gift basket and I have been hooked ever since. The flavor makes all of my baking so much better! I will never use grocery store vanilla again!
