Description
Traditional Russian blini are thin, delicate pancakes made from a simple batter of flour, milk, eggs, and butter. These versatile pancakes can be filled with a variety of savory or sweet fillings such as sour cream, caviar, smoked salmon, sautéed mushrooms, sweetened cottage cheese, or jam, making them perfect for breakfast or any time you crave a delicious, satisfying treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Batter Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups whole milk, warmed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp melted butter, plus more for cooking
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking powder (optional for fluffier texture)
Optional Fillings
- Sour cream
- Caviar
- Smoked salmon
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Sweetened cottage cheese
- Jam
Instructions
- Prepare the dry ingredients. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, and baking powder if using. This ensures the dry ingredients are evenly distributed before combining with the wet ingredients.
- Mix the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs thoroughly and then add the warmed whole milk and melted butter. Whisk together until combined smoothly.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures. Gradually pour the wet ingredient mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients, whisking continuously until you achieve a smooth, lump-free batter.
- Rest the batter. Let the batter rest for 15 to 20 minutes. This step allows the flour to fully hydrate and results in tender blini.
- Heat the pan and prepare for cooking. Place a nonstick skillet or crepe pan over medium heat and lightly coat it with butter to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Cook the blini. Pour about ¼ cup of batter into the hot pan, swirling the pan to spread the batter into a thin, even circle. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the edges start to lift and the bottom turns golden brown.
- Flip and finish cooking. Flip the blin carefully and cook for an additional 30 to 60 seconds until lightly golden on the other side. Remove from the pan and place on a plate.
- Repeat cooking. Continue cooking the remaining batter in the same way, adding butter to the pan as needed.
- Fill and serve. Once all blini are cooked, fill each with your preferred savory or sweet fillings such as sour cream, caviar, smoked salmon, mushrooms, cottage cheese, or jam. Roll or fold the blini as desired and serve warm.
Notes
- Blini can be made ahead and gently reheated in a skillet or microwave before serving.
- They freeze well; separate layers with parchment paper and store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
- Experiment with both sweet and savory fillings to create a traditional Russian spread suitable for any occasion.
