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Stack of blini with fillings on the side, vodka bottle and nesting doll in background
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5 from 7 votes

Yeasted Blini (Russian/Ukrainian Crepes)

These Yeasted Blini are so delicious and easier to make than you think! This recipe can be easily doubled to suit your needs.  You can enjoy them as a savory meal with all the traditional fillings or enjoy them as dessert with sweet fillings just like sweet crepes.  
Priyatnogo Appetita! Enjoy!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Proofing & Rising1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time2 hours 5 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Russian, Ukrainian
Keyword: Blinchiki, Bliny, crepes, Maslenitsa, pancakes, Russian, Ukrainian
Servings: 9
Calories: 197kcal
Author: Katia

Ingredients

  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup water
  • 1-2 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast or 1 packet
  • 1 tsp flaky sea salt or kosher salt
  • 2 whole eggs room temperature
  • 2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly
  • Unsalted Butter for greasing the pan

Instructions

Making the Batter

  • Heat up the milk and water to 110-113 degrees F. (43-45 C.) and transfer to a large mixing bowl.  You can heat it up in the microwave or in a pot on the stove, whatever you prefer.  Add sugar and yeast to the bowl and stir.  Let it sit 10-15 mins to proof the yeast.   (*During this time I like to turn on the oven to warm for only a couple minutes, no longer than 5 minutes, then turn it off.  This is how I like to prep my "warm" spot for the batter to rise.)
  • Add eggs, flour and salt to the bowl and whisk until it's a smooth batter with no big lumps. If there are any lumps, be sure to try to get them out. 
  • Add the butter and stir once more. 
  • Place a clean towel over the bowl and set the bowl in a *warm spot in the house without drafts. I like to place it in the oven as I mentioned above.  Set it and leave it there for 1 hr. If you leave it a little longer it's fine. 

Cooking the Blini

  • Pre-heat a non-stick skillet or 10" crepe pan to medium-high heat.
  • Once it's up to temp, grease the skillet with some butter (I like to partially unwrap a stick for this) and immediately add a little under a 1/2 cup of batter to the pan and swirl the pan quickly till you get a nice round shape.  (You need to lift the pan to do this, but work quickly).
  • *Don't be upset if the 1st couple turn out bad, it always does. 
  • Stay close and do not leave your pan.  Once the edges are browned, a little crispy and the top just starts looking dry, free up the edges gently, use a thin spatula to make sure it's not stuck and then carefully, but quickly flip your blin. You'll figure out what works best for you.  everyone has their own technique that works. 
  • Repeat those steps until all the batter is used up.  (Stack the blini on top of one another, occasionally making a new stack, and keep warm till ready to serve like in a warm oven. )

Video

Notes

Please Note: Nutritional Facts DO NOT include fillings or toppings, only the blini. 
Keep refrigerated and enjoy for up to a week.  To reheat, you can heat in a couple in the microwave with a moist paper towel or reheat a bunch in foil in the oven. 

Nutrition

Serving: 2blini | Calories: 197kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 293mg | Potassium: 228mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 291IU | Vitamin C: 0.002mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 1mg