These Homemade Cheese Blintzes with Cherry Sauce are a delightful nod to old-world comfort desserts. Featuring tender, pan-seared crepes wrapped around a creamy ricotta filling and finished with a luscious cherry topping, this dish combines simplicity with elegance. Whether you serve them for brunch or dessert, they evoke the warmth and tradition of homemade cooking.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These cheese blintzes are irresistibly creamy on the inside and delicately crisp on the outside. The sweet-tart cherry sauce offers a vibrant contrast to the mild cheese filling, while a dollop of sour cream or whipped topping adds the perfect finishing touch. The components can be prepared in advance, making them ideal for hosting or enjoying as a treat throughout the week.
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Blintz Crepes
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- Pinch of salt
- Butter for greasing the pan
For the Cheese Filling
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (or farmer’s cheese)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
For the Cherry Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups pitted cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp water
For Serving (Optional)
- Sour cream or whipped cream
- Powdered sugar for dusting
directions
- Make the Crepes
In a blender, combine eggs, milk, water, flour, sugar, and salt. Blend until smooth. Let the batter rest for 15 minutes.
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease with butter.
Pour about 2 tablespoons of batter into the skillet and swirl to coat the bottom. Cook until the edges lift and the crepe is set, about 1 minute.
Flip briefly (10–15 seconds), then transfer to a plate to cool. Repeat with the remaining batter. - Make the Cheese Filling
In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Mix until smooth and creamy. - Assemble the Blintzes
Lay a crepe flat on a clean surface. Place 2 tablespoons of the filling in the center.
Fold in the sides, then roll up from the bottom to enclose the filling into a rectangular packet.
Repeat with all crepes and filling. - Cook the Blintzes
Heat a bit of butter in a skillet over medium heat.
Place blintzes seam-side down and cook until golden brown, 2–3 minutes per side. Remove and keep warm. - Prepare the Cherry Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir into the cherry mixture. Cook until the sauce thickens, then remove from heat. - Serve
Arrange warm blintzes on a plate. Spoon cherry sauce over the top.
Add a dollop of sour cream or whipped cream and dust with powdered sugar, if desired.
Servings and timing
- Servings: 6 blintzes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Calories: 265 kcal per blintz
Variations
- Savory Twist: Omit sugar and vanilla in the filling and substitute with goat cheese and herbs for a savory version.
- Berry Compote: Swap cherry sauce for blueberry or raspberry compote.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend in the crepes for a gluten-free option.
- Lemon Curd Blintzes: Add a spoonful of lemon curd to the cheese filling for a citrusy kick.
- Baked Option: After pan-searing, arrange in a baking dish, top with sauce, and warm in the oven before serving.
storage/reheating
Storage:
Refrigerate cooked and cooled blintzes in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Store cherry sauce separately.
Reheating:
Reheat blintzes in a skillet over medium heat or in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through.
Cherry sauce can be reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
FAQs
Can I make the crepes ahead of time?
Yes, crepes can be made a day in advance and stored between sheets of parchment in the refrigerator.
Can I freeze cheese blintzes?
Yes, freeze filled but uncooked blintzes. Thaw and pan-fry as directed when ready to serve.
What’s the best cheese for blintzes?
Ricotta and farmer’s cheese are traditional; use whichever you prefer for texture and taste.
Can I use canned cherries for the sauce?
Yes, but drain them first and reduce the added sugar slightly if they’re packed in syrup.
Can I make these without a blender?
Absolutely. Just whisk the batter thoroughly by hand until smooth and lump-free.
What’s the difference between blintzes and crepes?
Blintzes are crepes that are filled and then pan-fried again for a golden exterior.
Are these served hot or cold?
They’re best served warm with freshly made sauce and toppings.
How do I prevent crepes from tearing?
Let the batter rest before cooking, and use a well-heated nonstick skillet for even cooking.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, all components scale up easily—perfect for brunch gatherings or holidays.
What’s a good substitute for sour cream?
Plain Greek yogurt is an excellent substitute for a tangy topping.
Conclusion
Homemade Cheese Blintzes with Cherry Sauce are the perfect blend of creamy, tangy, and sweet flavors wrapped in a golden, delicate crepe. Whether you serve them as a dessert or a centerpiece at brunch, they bring nostalgic charm and satisfy with every bite. With versatile ingredients and options for make-ahead preparation, this recipe is both practical and celebratory.
PrintHomemade Cheese Blintzes with Cherry Sauce
Delicate, pan-seared cheese blintzes filled with a sweetened ricotta and cream cheese mixture, served warm with a glossy cherry sauce. A nostalgic and comforting dish perfect for brunch or dessert.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 blintzes 1x
- Category: Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Eastern European
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- For the Blintz Crepes:
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- Pinch of salt
- Butter for greasing the pan
- For the Cheese Filling:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (or farmer’s cheese)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
- For the Cherry Sauce:
- 1 1/2 cups pitted cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp water
- For Serving (Optional):
- Sour cream or whipped cream
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Make the Crepes: Blend eggs, milk, water, flour, sugar, and salt until smooth. Let the batter rest for 15 minutes.
- Heat a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease with butter. Pour about 2 tablespoons of batter and swirl to coat. Cook for about 1 minute until edges lift, then flip briefly and remove. Repeat with remaining batter.
- Make the Filling: In a bowl, mix ricotta, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Blintzes: Place 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each crepe. Fold the sides over the filling, then fold the top and bottom to make a packet.
- Cook the Blintzes: Heat butter in a skillet. Cook blintzes seam-side down for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and heated through.
- Prepare Cherry Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and water. Bring to a simmer. Mix cornstarch with 1 tbsp water, stir in, and cook until thickened. Remove from heat.
- Serve: Plate blintzes and top with warm cherry sauce. Add sour cream or whipped cream and a dusting of powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
- Letting the crepe batter rest helps produce tender, delicate crepes.
- Blintzes can be assembled ahead and pan-fried just before serving.
- Use farmer’s cheese for a more traditional filling texture.
- Cherry sauce can be made in advance and reheated gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 blintz
- Calories: 265 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg