The Tastiest Sweet Buns Recipe (with Creamy Filling)

These delicious Sweet Buns feature sweet, light, fluffy buns that are filled with a creamy filling made of farmer's cheese, cream cheese, and the sweetness of raisins. These buns are incredibly popular in Eastern Europe and are known as Vatrushka in Ukraine. So if you've been looking for some tasty sweets to satisfy your sweet tooth for breakfast, you're in the right place!

These sweet buns are incredibly versatile and can be filled with different fillings and can be customized to your personal preferences. They're really popular in my house and my kids love eating them with milk while I enjoy them with a warm cup of freshly brewed homemade latte. 

If you've always wanted to have some sweet buns for breakfast but didn't know where to begin, this recipe is the perfect one to start off with! It's easy enough for even first-time bakers to try and will give you foolproof results every single time. 

These small desserts have everything in one bite: the fluffy texture of the bread, to the creaminess of the filling, and the sweetness of the raisins. You're going to absolutely fall in love with them I'm sure of it! If you make them once, I know you'll keep coming back to this recipe. 

Want to learn how to make these delicious Sweet Buns? Then keep on reading!

Table of Contents

• What are Sweet Buns?
• What Makes This Sweet Buns Recipe Special?
• What You Need to Make Sweet Buns at Home
• How to Make Sweet Buns Step by Step
• Tips for Making the Best Sweet Buns Ever
• Recipe Variation Ideas for Sweet Buns
• How to Store Leftover Sweet Buns
• Similar Recipes You'll Love
• Recipe Card
• The Tastiest Sweet Buns Recipe (with Creamy Filling)
• Comments

What are Sweet Buns?

Sweet buns are a type of pastry made with slightly sweet yeast dough and filled with farmer's cheese and raisins. They are popular in Eastern Europe, especially in Ukraine where they are called 'Vatrushka'.

Sweet buns can be enjoyed for breakfast, as a snack, or even as a dessert. The dough is light and fluffy, while the cheese filling adds an extra layer of sweetness.

Vatrushka buns are similar to danish with cream cheese filling except the batter is made out of sweet yeast dough instead.

The bun cavity can be filled with different fillings like fresh or canned cherries, jam, farmer's cheese without raisins, or farmer's cheese with different kinds of dried berries in it.

These sweet buns are easy to make and can be enjoyed by everyone. They are a great way to start the day, or as an afternoon snack. With just a few ingredients, you can have these delicious treats ready in no time!

What Makes This Sweet Buns Recipe Special?

This is, by far, the best sweet buns recipe you'll ever try! Here are some of the top reasons why this sweet buns recipe is extra special:

Flavor: The unique flavor of sweet buns comes from the combination of the slightly sweet yeast dough and the farmer's cheese filling. The sweetness of the dough is balanced out by the incredible taste of the cheese, creating a delicious flavor that is hard to resist. The raisins add an extra layer of sweetness and texture, making these buns even more irresistible.

Easy to Make: Sweet buns are easy to make and require minimal ingredients. All you need is flour, yeast, sugar, butter, milk, farmer's cheese, and raisins. With just a few simple steps you can have these delicious treats ready in no time!

Versatile: Sweet buns are perfect for any occasion. Whether it's breakfast, snack time, or dessert, these sweet buns are sure to please. They are a great way to start the day or as an afternoon snack. Plus, they make for a delicious and unique dessert that everyone will love!

What You Need to Make Sweet Buns at Home

All you need are some simple, pantry staple ingredients to make the tastiest sweet buns you’ve ever had! Here’s everything you’ll need to make them at home:

For the Batter:

• Milk: We'll be using some whole milk in this recipe that'll add richness and flavor in every single bite. We'll use this as the liquid to activate the yeast with the sugar for the best results. 
• Sugar: To get the perfect level of sweetness, we'll be using some white granulated sugar. This will also help to activate the yeast to get the perfect level of leavening.
• Yeast: You'll need some active dry yeast to leaven the bread so that it's soft and fluffy, and tastes absolutely delicious!
• Eggs: We'll also be adding some eggs. They not only add flavor and richness, but are also great to add a touch of leavening so that your sweet buns hold their shape and can be easily filled with the filling of your choice.
• Butter: To make the sweet buns extra soft and delicious, we'll be using some unsalted butter to get that beautiful soft texture along with some extra richness for a treat that's truly unforgettable.
• Vanilla extract: We'll also be using some vanilla extract to get that delicious flavor in our sweet buns that'll help balance everything out.
• Salt: You'll also need a little salt as it'll help to bring out all the flavors in the sweet buns so that everything tastes just right.
• All-purpose flour: To add structure to our batter and to give sweet buns the right texture and consistency, we'll be using some plain all-purpose flour for our recipe.

For the Filling:

• Farmer's cheese: First of all, we'll need some farmer's cheese for our delicious sweet buns. You can buy store-bought cheese, but I've used my incredibly easy recipe to make homemade farmer's cheese for the best results.
• Cream cheese: To make the filling extra creamy and with a slight tang, I've also used some cream cheese. This will make the consistency smoother and help us fill the sweet buns perfectly.
• Sugar: For that added sweetness and delicious flavor, we'll also be adding some white granulated sugar to our filling mixture.
• Vanilla extract: We'll also need some vanilla extract that'll help balance out all the flavors and bring everything together.
• Salt: You'll also need some salt as this helps bring out the flavors and help balance the sweetness in this filling so that it goes perfectly with the sweet buns.
• Egg: We'll also be using some egg in our filling for some added richness and flavor that goes incredibly well with our delicious buns. 
• Raisins: To take our sweet buns to the next level, we'll also be adding some raisins to the filling which will give you a delicious taste in every bite. 

To Make the Egg Wash:

• Egg: You’ll need one large egg in the egg wash. Egg wash help because they add a shine to the buns and the yolk will help give the sweet buns a beautiful golden brown color when it is baked.
• Water: We'll also be mixing in some water as it helps to thin out your egg wash so it goes on smoothly.

How to Make Sweet Buns Step by Step

Making this delicious sweet buns recipe is incredibly easy. Here's what you need to do step by step to make it at home:

How to Make Sweet Buns Batter

Start by activating the yeast. To do this, pour milk into a small bowl. Heat it on the stovetop for 30 seconds or until it turns lukewarm.

Next, add ¼ cup sugar and yeast, stir until it all dissolves, and then place this mixture into a warm place to activate.

Now, melt the butter and set it aside to cool until it's ready for use.

Next, beat eggs and the rest of the sugar (¾ cup) together at high speed in the bowl of a stand mixer for 5 minutes or until it turns fluffy and light pale in color.

Then reduce the mixing speed to low and add salt, vanilla extract, melted butter, and activated yeast mixture.

Switch to a dough hook attachment and stir in sifted flour by adding one cup at a time until the dough is smooth and not sticky. This will take about 10 minutes. 

If you don't have a stand mixer, you can also do this entire process by hand.

Remove the dough hook attachment, and place the dough in a warm place to allow it to be proof for a couple of hours.

How to Make Filling for Sweet Buns

While the dough is proofing, we can work on the filling.

Add farmer's cheese and softened cream cheese into a medium bowl. Now start mixing the cheese on medium speed until it's well combined. 

Next, add sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and mix until it incorporates properly into the mixture.

Then add an egg and mix once more until it's all well combined.

Now use a silicone spatula to mix in the raisins.

NOTE: I like to soak raisins in hot water for 15 minutes before adding them to the cheese. This step can be done while prepping the yeast and melting the butter. Drain raisins and rinse with cold water and set aside to let the excess water drip off before adding them in this step.

How to Assemble Sweet Buns

After the dough proofs, remove the dough from a bowl onto a lightly floured surface and split the dough in half.

Roll out the first half of the dough into a large rectangle.

Using a drinking glass cut out circles and place them onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Another option is to pinch a small amount of dough about 2 oz., and shape each ball into a flattened disc.

Place them next to each other, leaving enough space for them to rise for 30 minutes. Cover the buns with a towel to prevent the outer layer from drying out.

Add scraps of the first half of the dough to the second half, and repeat the same steps with the rest of the dough.

Using a small glass press each bun in the center to form a cavity in the center.

Brush the buns with egg wash. Fill each cavity with a farmer's cheese raisins filling. Let it rise for another 30 minutes while the oven is preheating.

How to Bake Sweet Buns

Preheat the oven to 350F (180 C).

Bake the buns in the oven for 20 - 25 minutes or until the edges of the buns turn golden brown in color.

Remove the buns from the oven and allow them to cool before serving.

Your delicious Sweet Buns are ready to be served! Enjoy your buns with a warm cup of milk, tea, or coffee.

Enjoy buns warm with a cup of milk, tea, or coffee.

Tips for Making the Best Sweet Buns Ever

Making the best sweet buns ever is all about getting the right texture and flavor. Here are some tips to help you get it just right:

1. Use high-quality ingredients: Using high-quality ingredients will make a big difference in the taste of your sweet buns. Make sure to use fresh, organic ingredients whenever possible.

2. Make sure not to over-knead the dough: Over-kneading the dough will make it tough and dense, so be sure to knead it just until it comes together.

3. Add enough filling: The filling is what makes sweet buns so delicious, so don’t skimp on it! Make sure to use plenty of cheese and raisins to get the best flavor.

4. Don’t forget the egg wash: The egg wash helps give the buns a nice golden color and adds a bit of extra flavor.

5. Let them cool before serving: Letting the buns cool before serving will help ensure that they stay soft and fluffy. Enjoy!

Recipe Variation Ideas for Sweet Buns

Recipe variations are a great way to add some variety to your sweet buns. Here are some ideas for delicious variations that you can try:

1. Chocolate Chip Sweet Buns: Add some chocolate chips to the dough before rolling it out and cutting it into circles. You can also add them to the cheese filling for an extra-decadent treat.

2. Cinnamon Sugar Sweet Buns: Sprinkle some cinnamon sugar over the buns before baking for a sweet and spicy twist.

3. Nutella Sweet Buns: Swap out the cheese filling for Nutella for an indulgent treat.

4. Coconut Sweet Buns: Add some shredded coconut to the dough or sprinkle it on top of the buns before baking for a tropical flavor.

5. Fruit Sweet Buns: Add some chopped dried fruit to the cheese filling for a fruity twist.

How to Store Leftover Sweet Buns

You can store any leftovers you may have in an airtight container after covering them with plastic wrap. They can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the toaster oven before serving.

These buns are freezer-friendly as well and can be frozen for up to a month. Thaw overnight and reheat before serving.

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This recipe was originally posted on September 29, 2015 (original picture below), and updated for a better user experience. The post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.