Farmer Cheese Cakes With Raisins

Source/Author: Aunt Nadya

This raisin cupcake recipe carries a heartwarming connection—it’s from Aunt Nadya in Estonia, giving it a personal and nostalgic touch. The combination of rich butter and farmer cheese or ricotta makes these cupcakes delightfully moist and tender.

Ingredients:

• sugar	3/4 cup
• flour	1 cup
• baking powder	1 teaspoon
• eggs	3
• vanilla	to taste
• raisins	3/4 cup
• powdered sugar	optional for dusting
• corn starch	3 tablespoons
• unsalted butter, softened	200 g
• oil	for greasing
• cinnamon	2 tablespoons
• farmer cheese or ricotta cheese	250 g

1. Wash the raisins, scald them, and soak in hot water. Cover and let sit for about half an hour.

2. Preheat the oven to 210°C (410°F). Grease cupcake molds with oil or line with parchment paper.

3. Using a mixer, beat the butter with the sugar. While continuing to beat, add the eggs one by one, mixing until smooth. Then add the farmer cheese (or ricotta) and beat everything again until well combined.

4. In a separate bowl, mix the starch, flour, baking soda, vanilla (or vanilla sugar), and cinnamon. Gradually, tablespoon by tablespoon, add this mixture to the creamy batter, while continuing to beat.

5. Drain the water from the raisins using a sieve or colander.

6. Add the raisins to the batter and mix thoroughly.

7. Fill the molds with the batter, place them in the oven, and bake until a golden-brown color forms, about 20 minutes.

8. Check for doneness with a wooden toothpick.

9. Optionally sprinkle with powdered sugar.