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Blini

These are delicate little yeast pancakes, with a subtle nuttiness, cooked with just a brush of butter until they’re lightly golden then garnished with a glorious array of toppings. Tiny pancakes that create one gorgeous board and deliver a perfect bite for weekend entertaining!
Cook Time 5 minutes
Course Appetizer
Servings 5 dozen blini

Equipment

  • Instant read thermometer, to check the water temperature, is quite helpful
  • Mixer
  • Electric griddle or skillet

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup warm water, between 105-degrees to 110-degrees*
  • 2-¼ teaspoons dried yeast
  • ½ teaspoon sugar, divided
  • 1 cup milk
  • 3 extra-large eggs, separated
  • 6 tablespoons melted butter, plus extra for cooking
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup ½ cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Topping suggestions: crème fraiche, mascarpone, or cream cheese topped with smoked salmon and fresh dill, roasted asparagus, or ginger pear honey (or your favorite jam), mustard topped with sliced roast beef, mozzarella, sliced cherry tomatoes and fresh basil

Instructions
 

  • Stir the yeast along with ¼ teaspoon of the sugar into the warm water. Let the yeast stand and proof for about 5 minutes.
  • Whisk the milk, egg yolks, melted butter and yeast mixture together.
  • In a separate bowl whisk together the all-purpose flour, wheat flour, the remaining ¼ teaspoon sugar and kosher salt.
  • Add the flour mixture to the milk and eggs, stirring just until blended and fairly smooth.
  • Cover the bowl and let the batter rise at room temperature for 1-½ hours or in the refrigerator 8 hours or overnight, or up to 2 days.
  • When you’re ready to cook the blini, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
  • Fold the egg whites into the batter.
  • Heat a griddle to 350-degrees or a skillet over medium heat. When the griddle is hot, brush it with additional melted butter and drop small scoops of batter into the pan. Cook until the blini are golden on the bottom, then flip and continue cooking until cooked through, about 5 minutes total.
  • Serve the blini warm or at room temperature garnished with your favorite toppings.

Notes

*An instant read thermometer is extremely helpful to check the temperature of the water.