Syrniki

Soft, lightly sweetened farmer's cheese pancakes, pan-fried until golden and served with sour cream, jam or honey.

Syrniki are a beloved breakfast dish across Ukraine and much of Eastern Europe, made from tvorog, a fresh farmer's cheese similar to a dry cottage cheese, mixed with egg, a little flour and sugar. The dish likely developed as a way to use fresh dairy quickly in households that made their own cheese, turning it into a filling, slightly sweet breakfast rather than eating it plain. It remains a staple of home breakfasts and cafes throughout Ukraine today, usually served warm with a dollop of sour cream and fruit preserves.

Syrniki must be made with tvorog or another dry farmer's cheese, not ricotta or cottage cheese with high moisture, which will make the batter too wet to hold together in the pan.