Spring and summer is the perfect time for hosting a brunch. Whether for family, a bridal or baby shower, or with friends, this easy to follow, gluten free recipe for Sweet Cheese Blintzes is sure to please everyone.
Every once in awhile I catch an episode of Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family. I have it set on my DVR because it comes on early weekday mornings. Hosted by Cristina Ferrare and Mark Steines, Home and Family is the ultimate in DIY everything: Home, Food, Decorating, Pets, Car Care, Stuff for Kids, Fashion, — you name it, they DIY it. The show also includes celebrity guests and interviews. It is well-rounded, informative, fun to watch and fun to get new creative ideas.
Right before Easter, I spotted this episode on making Sweet Cheese Blintzes for brunch. A cheese blintze is a crepe wrapped around a delicious, sweet cheese filling, topped with a fruit syrup. It is one of those dishes that are as pretty as they are delicious– which make them perfect for brunch. What caught also caught my interest for this particular cheese blintz recipe was that it is gluten free. Ever since my husband became allergic to wheat, I have had to change my cooking habits to incorporate his dietary needs. This brunch recipe for cheese blintzes was something we both could enjoy.
Celebrity guest Dean Sheremet, author of the cookbook, Eat Your Heart Out: The Look Good, Feel Good, Silver Lining Cookbook
There are three parts to this brunch recipe:
- 3 tbsp butter, melted more for the pan
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup gluten free flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄2 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1⁄2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1⁄2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
- 24 ounces fresh blackberries
- 2 cups agave nectar
- Juice of 1 lime
Dean gave a demonstration on the show on how this great brunch dish comes together:
Sweet Cheese Blintzes – Home & Family
While I appreciated watching the demonstration, I find it easier to have written instructions on hand:
Steps for Gluten-Free Crepes
1. Melt the butter in a pan or in the microwave.
2. Add everything into a blender and blend on medium high until completely smooth and bubbles start to form at the top.
3. Pour into a container or bowl and allow to rest for 20 minutes at room temp or reserve in the fridge if using later.
4. Butter an 8-10’’ skillet with about 1⁄2 tablespoon of butter, swirl around to evenly coat the pan, pour excess back into the batter
5. Add 1⁄4 cup of the batter to the pan and swirl around to coat evenly (***NOTE:The crepe batter was a lot thicker than I expected. I couldn’t swirl it around the hot skillet like I was used to. I added some more milk –about a fourth of a cup– to decrease the thickness of the batter. And after I poured it in the pan, I used a knife to spread out the batter in to a round, thin pancake).
6. Cook until the edges start to peel away from the side
7. Use your fingers to carefully flip the crepe and cook 1 more minute on the other side. Both sides should be a nice golden brown. 8. Each time you repeat, first wipe the pan again with some melted butter
Steps for Sweet Cheese Filling
1. Using a spatula, work the filling ingredients together until they are well mixed
2. Lay the crepe flat and spoon 2 generous tablespoons in the middle.
3. Fold the sides in and starting at the bottom roll up to enclose the filling.
4. Pan fry in butter seam side down first until slightly crispy and warm throughout.
5. Top with desired jam
Steps for Blackberry Jam Topping
- Wash and dry blackberries
- Put all jam ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth
This is how my brunch Sweet Cheese Blintzes turned out:
So easy to make. So impressive to serve. So delicious to eat. The perfect ingredients for your next Spring time brunch.