Romanian Papanasi - Fried Dumplings

Place the cheese and eggs in a bowl.

Add in the sugar, vanilla extract and baking soda. Mix well with a spoon to combine.

Next comes the flour - mix with the spoon to combine.

Notice the dough is sticky - don't use your hands, you'll only get annoyed. Also, if the dough is too hard and not sticky, the dumplings won't be tender when cooked.

So, what shall we do? Dust the work surface with a bit more flour than usual and spoon the dough onto it.

With your floured hands, carefully gather the dough into a ball - don't knead, just shape.

Divide the ball into 8 equal pieces.

From each piece, cut another smaller one, about the size of a walnut - this will be the ball on top.

Now we are shaping the dumplings - roll the small piece into a small ball. Roll the bigger piece into a bigger ball. Then place it on the floured table and make a hole through the center with your finger. Spin the dough slowly around your finger to enlarge the hole.

Repeat the procedure for all the dumplings. I had 8 sets of beautiful dumplings :)

Heat plenty of oil in a deep frying pan, place some dumpling sets and cook until brown on one side. Be careful, they will turn brown very fast.

Then turn on the other side and cook until brown.

Repeat the procedure for all the dumplings, then transfer to a plate with paper towel and let the oil drain.

Now we are assembling the dumplings - place a big dumpling on a plate and fill the hole with jam.

Spread 1-2 tbsp sour cream over the jam and place the small dumpling on top.

They are adorable and dangerously tasty - you will fall in love once you take the first bite.

Enjoy!