Slovenian gluten-free Štruklji: a rolled specialty made with cottage cheese.

Štruklji is a traditional Slovenian dish consisting of a stuffed and rolled pastry, often served at Christmas. It can be savory or sweet, but the sweet version with cottage cheese and raisins is particularly popular. This gluten-free Štruklji recipe retains the appearance and melt-in-your-mouth texture of the traditional version. If you're looking for a Slovenian touch this Christmas, Štruklji is a unique option .

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time 40 minutes

Rest time: 30 minutes

Total time 1 hour 30 minutes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 4

Special diet: suitable for gluten-free diet

Ingredients

For the dough:
200g of gluten-free flour (pastry mix type)
1 tsp xanthan gum (optional)
1 egg
1 pinch of salt
100 ml of lukewarm water
1 Tbsp of vegetable oil
For the garnish:
250g of cottage cheese or ricotta
2 tablespoons of sugar
1 egg
50g of raisins
Zest of a lemon
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
For the finishing touch:
2 tablespoons of melted butter
1 tablespoon of powdered sugar
Ground cinnamon (optional)

Preparation

1
To prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine the gluten-free flour, xanthan gum, and salt. Add the egg, warm water, and oil. Knead until you have a smooth and elastic dough. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
2
Prepare the filling: In another bowl, mix the cream cheese, sugar, egg, raisins, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Stir well until smooth.
3
Roll out and fill the dough: On a lightly floured surface (using gluten-free flour), roll out the dough into a rectangle approximately 2 mm thick. Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border on the sides.
4
Rolling and wrapping the Štruklji: Roll the filled dough into a tight roll. Then wrap this roll in a clean cloth or plastic wrap, making sure to seal the ends well to prevent the filling from escaping.
5
Steaming: Steam the roll for approximately 30 to 40 minutes, until firm. If you don't have a steamer, you can also poach it in a large pot of simmering water, making sure the water doesn't boil.
6
Unmold and serve: Let cool slightly, then remove the cloth or plastic wrap. Slice and brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and cinnamon, if desired.

Note

Serve the Štruklji warm, accompanied by whipped cream or fruit sauce.

Keywords: Gluten-free Slovenian Štruklji, Slovenian cheesecake, gluten-free Slovenian specialty