Name: Mennonite Cottage Cheese Pie Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: Mennonite
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes; 4-6 tablespoons ice water; 2 cups small curd cottage cheese; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 3 large eggs; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional); 2 tablespoons melted butter

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (for crust)

1/2 teaspoon salt (for crust)

1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes (for crust)

4-6 tablespoons ice water (for crust)

2 cups small curd cottage cheese (for filling)

3/4 cup granulated sugar (for filling)

3 large eggs (for filling)

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for filling)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for filling)

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, optional (for filling)

2 tablespoons melted butter (for filling)

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Cut in the cold butter cubes until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add the ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Step 2: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle and carefully fit it into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim the edges and crimp as desired. Prick the bottom of the crust lightly with a fork to prevent bubbling.

Step 3: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, sugar, eggs, flour, vanilla extract, melted butter, and nutmeg if using until the filling is smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center. If the crust edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil to prevent burning.

Step 5: Remove the pie from the oven and cool it on a wire rack for 2-3 hours before serving. Optionally, dust the top with powdered sugar or a sprinkle of nutmeg for extra flavor.

Tips & Variations

For a smoother filling, blend the cottage cheese briefly in a food processor before mixing.

Try adding a tablespoon of lemon zest to the filling for a fresh, citrusy twist.

Substitute part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour in the crust for a nuttier flavor.

Cover the crust edges with foil halfway through baking to avoid over-browning.

FAQs

Can I use large curd cottage cheese instead of small curd?

Yes, you can use large curd cottage cheese, but the texture may be slightly chunkier. For a smoother filling, consider briefly processing it in a blender or food processor before mixing.

Is it necessary to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough helps firm up the butter, which creates a flakier crust and prevents shrinking during baking. While you can skip this step in a pinch, chilling is recommended for the best results.