Cheese Latkes

• farmer cheese↗3 cups
• eggs↗6
• sugar↗3 tablespoons
• vanilla extract↗1 1⁄2 teaspoons
• salt↗3⁄4 teaspoon
• all-purpose flour↗1 cup
• vegetable oil↗

  for frying

• maple syrup↗
• sour cherry preserves↗
• cinnamon sugar↗

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   In a large bowl, stir together farmer's cheese, eggs, sugar, vanilla, salt, and flour.

2. 2

   Pour 1/2 inch oil into a 10- to 12-in. frying pan (with sides at least 1 1/2 inches high) over medium-low to medium heat.

3. 3

   When oil reaches 300°F, scoop 1/4 cup of cheese mixture from bowl, then gently drop it into hot oil.

4. 4

   Press down lightly with a spatula to flatten.

5. 5

   Cook 3 or 4 pancakes at a time (do not crowd pan), loosening from bottom as needed, until undersides are golden brown, about 2 minutes.

6. 6

   Gently turn and cook until other sides are golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes longer.

7. 7

   Transfer to paper towels to drain briefly, then keep warm in a 200°F oven while you cook remaining pancakes.

8. 8

   Serve hot, with maple syrup, sour cherry preserves, and/or cinnamon sugar.

9. 9

   Notes: These latkes brown faster, so keep the oil at a slightly lower temperature (between 250°F and 300°F) while frying. They have a tendency to stick to the bottom of the frying pan, so gently loosen them throughout the cooking process.