Kiflice - Serbian Mini Rolls

This is my first entry to the monthly challenge from 'Fresh From the Oven' . November's challenge was set by Maja at Cooks and bakes. Thank you Maja for this challenge. I can't tell you how delicious these are.  I have been making my own bread for some years now and I can honestly say I have never produced anything from my oven made with yeast that tastes so heavenly. perfect buttery light soft rolls with a zing of salty cheese. Perfect nibbles for a party at this time of year. I am wondering if a bigger version would make an accompaniment to dinner.

 

 

They are incredibly easy to make.

I used Feta Cheese as I am not keen on Cottage cheese

About a teaspoonful is enough for each roll

The cutting out and rolling is very quick

Mine were not quite the right crescent shape but I will correct that the next time and a next time there will definitely be.

Perfect buttery soft rolls with a zing of salty cheese.

I look forward to trying this recipe with different cheeses.

I think this would also lend itself beautifully to a sweet filling should you be so inclined. Perhaps jam or chocolate?

This is Maja's recipe. The only change I made was to use butter instead of margarine. The buttery taste through them was wonderful. Not healthy but wonderful just the same.

Kiflice - Serbian Mini Rolls

Dough:
500 g all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
20 g fresh yeast (2 tsp instant yeast or 2.5 tsp active dry yeast)
1 tsp sugar
250 ml milk
75 ml sunflower oil
1 egg

Filling:
200-250 g cottage cheese (you may use feta or other fresh cheese)
1 egg white (optional)

And more:
1 egg yolk
1 tbsp milk
100-125 g margarine

Directions:
1. Crush the cheese using a fork. Add some salt if it tastes neutral. Stir the egg white in, if the cheese is too crumbly. Filling shouldn't be runny, but thick and compact, thicker than the cream cheese, and pretty salty.

2. For the starter - dissolve yeast with some lukewarm milk in a cup, add a teaspoon of sugar and a tablespoon of flour, stir to get smooth batter. Set aside at room temperature, or near the stove top, to let the yeast activate and fill the cup.

3. Sift the flour, add salt. Add activated yeast, egg, oil and milk, then combine using a wooden spoon to get smooth dough. The dough seems like too soft and too sticky at the beginning, but don't worry, continue with kneading, and soon your dough should start to separate from the bowl, and thicken. It is not necessary to knead the dough by hands, the wooden spoon works just fine (you may use any spoon, of course, the wooden spoon is common tool for all stirring and kneading works here at the Balkans). Grease the cling film with oil, cover the bowl, and set aside for at least an hour, at lukewarm place, to let the dough doubles in size.

4. Re-knead the dough, divide into 5 equal parts, shape them into balls. Each part should make 8 rolls, so you'll end up with 40 rolls, which should perfectly fit the regular oven pan, if lined in 5x8 order. Flatten each ball by hands over the floury working surface, then use a rolling pin to roll the dough out in a circle, a few millimeters thick. Use a sharp knife to cut the circle into 8 triangles. Take one triangle, stretch it in the air with your hands, to get it extended as much as you can, gently. Put some filling at the triangle base, then fold the edges of the base as shown at pic4, to avoid the filling leak out during baking. Roll. Arrange the rolls at the pan (5x8).

5. Lightly beat the egg yolk with a tablespoon of milk, then brush the top of each roll with the mixture. This is used to prevent forming thick crust, and to improve the color of baked rolls. Sprinkle with some sesame seeds, if you like.

6. Arrange the small peaces of margarine between the rolls, then bake in the oven preheated to 180°C for about 20 minutes. Be careful not to overbake them. Let them cool a bit, be careful as the filling is always more hot then the dough, take a seat in your favorite armchair, and start enjoying the softest cheese rolls ever. And don't think of calories, please :)