Pyrohy Dough

Step 1

In a small glass, stir together sugar and yeast into lukewarm water and let stand 10 minutes. Add butter and scalded milk to a heatproof bowl or stand mixer and mix until lukewarm. Add eggs, salt, 1/4 cup sugar and yeast mixture.

Knead in enough flour so the dough cleans the sides of the bowl. Continue to knead, adding more more flour as needed, until dough is smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, cover and let dough rise until doubled. Punch down dough, knead a few times in the bowl, cover and let rise again.

Have ready any filling like Ukrainian ground-meat pyrohy filling (or any pierogi filling will work). Making individual pyrohy, is the same as making pierogi. Roll dough 1/4-inch thick and cut out circles or squares of dough, fill, seal and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise until light, about 1 hour.

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Carefully brush raised pyrohy with an egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water or milk. Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden. Serve warm.

NOTE: To save time, make one large pyrih (singular of pyrohy) by dividing the dough in half. Roll one piece onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in a large rectangle. Spread the filling almost to the ends of the dough. Roll out the remaining piece of dough and place on top of the filled rectangle, crimpling the edges. Prick in several places, cover and let rise as above. Brush with egg glaze and bake as above. Let rest about 10 minutes, cut into squares and serve.
By: Marianna Muzyka