Blintzes originated in Eastern European Jewish households as a festive treat for holidays like Shavuot and Hanukkah. Traditionally they were filled with sweetened cheese or fruit and served as a celebratory dish that combines the comfort of pancakes with a rich dairy filling.

In Lithuania and Poland, blintzes are often filled with farmer’s cheese and served with sour cream. In Russian cuisine, they may be rolled with jam or honey. The American version popularized by Better From Scratch adds a berry sauce for a fresh, tangy contrast.

They are typically served warm, dusted with powdered sugar, and accompanied by fruit preserves or berry sauces. During Shavuot, they are part of a dairy‑rich menu that celebrates the giving of the Torah.

Blintzes are especially popular for Shavuot, Hanukkah, and family brunches. Their dairy‑rich filling aligns with the dairy‑focused traditions of these holidays.

Authentic recipes use farmer’s cheese or quark, all‑purpose flour, and eggs. Modern substitutes include cream cheese and ricotta for a smoother texture, and butter for pan‑frying, which are all acceptable without losing the essence of the dish.

They pair nicely with a light cucumber‑dill salad, a side of sautéed apples, or a cup of strong tea or coffee to balance the richness of the cheese filling.

Common errors include a batter that’s too thick, over‑cooking the crepes, over‑filling which causes tearing, and using too high heat which burns the butter before the batter sets. Follow the critical steps for batter consistency and pan temperature.

Combining cream cheese (for richness) with ricotta (for lightness) creates a silky yet airy filling that spreads easily and doesn’t become overly dense, which is ideal for quick pan‑frying.

Yes. Cooked blintzes can be refrigerated for up to 2 days in an airtight container and reheated in a skillet. The batter and cheese filling can also be prepared a day ahead, and the berry sauce keeps for 3 days refrigerated.

The YouTube channel Better From Scratch specializes in approachable, step‑by‑step home cooking tutorials that focus on classic comfort foods, baking fundamentals, and techniques that empower home cooks to create restaurant‑quality dishes from scratch.

Better From Scratch emphasizes clear, methodical instruction, ingredient accessibility, and practical tips like making batter rest and using everyday pantry items, whereas many other channels may assume prior technique knowledge or use specialty ingredients.