Sweet Cherry Vareniki Recipe (2024)

These homemade Sweet Cherry Vareniki are so delicious and a classic Ukrainian dish! Sweet dumplings filled with cream cheese and cherry filling. They are boiled and tossed in butter, so so good!

If you are looking for savory dumplings, the Potato Pierogies and classic Pelmeni are a must-try.

CHERRY VARENIKI-

These delicious cherry vareniki are so delicious and make for a great dessert or even breakfast! With our homemade Pierogi Dough and a simple berry and cream cheese dough, these dumplings make for the best sweet.

Whether making a batch fresh or freezing some for later, these are great no matter the occasion.

What is the difference between Vareniki and Pierogies? Although vareniki and pierogies sound different, they are often used interchangeably depending on the region you are in! However, vareniki are often referred to as a sweet filling while pierogies use meat or potato fillings.

INGREDIENTS-

• Pierogi Dough– We use our Homemade Pierogi Dough for this recipe.
• Ricotta Cheese– You want to use a good quality ricotta cheese for this filling. You can also substitute the ricotta cheese for farmer’s cheese.
• Cream Cheese– Softened cream cheese to add more creaminess to this dish.
• Sugar– Granulated sugar to sweeten the ricotta filling.
• Cherry Pie Filling– We enjoy adding cherry pie filling to these vareniki! You can use a canned cherry filling or even fresh cherries for the filling, or leave out the cherry filling completely.
• Blueberries– Fresh blueberries or blueberry pie filling may be used.

HOW TO MAKE SWEET VARENIKI-

1. Dough– Prepare one portion of our Classic Pierogi Dough.
2. Filling– In a bowl, beat together the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until combined.
3. Divide dough– Flour the working space with flour and divide the dough into three equal balls.
4. Roll dough– Roll out the first ball and with a cup create circles all over the dough.
5. Add filling– Add the cream cheese filling into the center of the created circles, and top with a cherry filling or fresh blueberries.
6. Seal– Fold over the edges of the circles and pinch to seal the vareniki to avoid them from oozing out. Repeat with all the vareniki and add to a flour-dusted plate or tray.

HOW TO COOK VARENIKI-

1. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil.
2. Once the water is boiling, add the vareniki into the water and allow to cook until they begin to float to the top.
3. With a large strainer spatula, remove the vareniki and add to a bowl. Toss with unsalted butter and serve!

What to serve with Vareniki? Serve the homemade vareniki with a dollop of sour cream, jam, or coarse sugar.

STORING OPTIONS-

What we love about this dish is that you can make this ahead of time! You can either serve them right away or freeze for later!

• Freeze– Once you assemble the vareniki, add them to a floured plate and freeze. Once they are fully frozen transfer them to a freezer-safe plastic bag and freeze for up to 2-3 months.

COOKING FROZEN VARENIKI-

1. In a large pot, bring water to a boil, once the water is boiling add the frozen pierogies and boil for about 3-4 minutes or until they begin to float to the top of the water.
2. Remove them using a strainer spatula and toss in butter and serve.

Other Ukrainian Dishes-

• Meat Piroshki Recipe
• Beat Horseradish Sauce
• Dressed Herring Salad
• Solyanka Soup
• Ukrainian Kotleti
• Split Pea Soup Recipe