Cherry Vlaai Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
- 1/4 cup lukewarm water
- 1/4 cup lukewarm milk
- 1/4 oz active dry yeast
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 cups pitted cherries
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract

Special Equipment Needed:
- 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add chilled butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together lukewarm water, lukewarm milk, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast is activated.
3. Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and mix until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for 1 hour in a warm place.
6. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
7. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to fit the tart pan. Line the pan with parchment paper and place the dough in the pan.
8. In a saucepan, mix together cherries, cornstarch, sugar, water, and vanilla extract. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
9. Pour the cherry mixture into the tart pan.
10. Brush the edges of the dough with beaten egg.
11. Bake the cherry vlaai for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
12. Let the vlaai cool before serving.


Time:
Preparation time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30-35 minutes
Temperature:
375°F
Serving size:
8 servings

Nutritional information:
Calories per serving: 320
Total fat: 14g
Saturated fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 60mg
Sodium: 70mg
Total carbohydrates: 45g
Dietary fiber: 2g
Total sugars: 23g
Protein: 4g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- You can use frozen cherries instead of fresh cherries.
- You can use almond extract instead of vanilla extract.

Variations:
- You can add sliced almonds on top of the cherry filling before baking.
- You can use other fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, or peaches instead of cherries.

Tips and Tricks:
- Make sure the butter is chilled before mixing it with the flour to achieve a flaky crust.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place to activate the yeast.
- Brushing the edges of the dough with beaten egg will give it a shiny finish.
- Let the vlaai cool completely before slicing it to avoid a runny filling.

Storage Instructions:
Store the cherry vlaai in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating Instructions:
Reheat the cherry vlaai in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until warm.

Presentation Ideas:
Serve the cherry vlaai on a platter and dust it with powdered sugar.

Garnishes:
Garnish the cherry vlaai with fresh cherries or whipped cream.

Pairings:
Serve the cherry vlaai with a cup of coffee or tea.

Suggested Side Dishes:
Serve the cherry vlaai with a side of vanilla ice cream.

Troubleshooting Advice:
- If the dough is too dry, add a little bit of water.
- If the dough is too sticky, add a little bit of flour.

Food Safety Advice:
Make sure to wash the cherries before using them in the recipe.

Food History:
Vlaai is a traditional Dutch pastry that originated in the Limburg region of the Netherlands. It is typically made with a sweet yeast dough and filled with fruit.

Flavor Profiles:
The cherry vlaai has a sweet and tart flavor profile with a buttery crust.

Serving Suggestions:
Serve the cherry vlaai as a dessert or a sweet snack.

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Region: Dutch

Taste: Sweet, Tart, Fruity, Creamy, Nutty