Ingredients

  • 3 pounds Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 3 large eggs, beaten
  • 3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch salt
  • 6 teaspoons melted unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
  • 1 lemon, zest finely grated
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 cup sour cream, for serving
  • Confectioners' sugar, for garnish, optional

Method

  • Make the Apple Butter Topping by placing the apples, cider, sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves and allspice in a medium saucepan over low heat.
  • Cook for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring and mashing the apples occasionally.
  • When ready, the apple butter should be golden brown and very thick.
  • Remove from the heat and set aside to cool until ready to serve the blintzes.
  • To prepare the crepes, whisk together the flour, sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla, salt and 4 1/2 teaspoons of the butter to form a smooth, thin batter.
  • Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before proceeding.
  • Combine the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, egg, confectioners' sugar, and zest in a small bowl and whisk until smooth.
  • Chill the sweet cheese filling until ready to use.
  • Heat a heavy 10-inch skillet or crepe pan over medium-high heat.
  • When hot, brush with a light coating of the remaining butter.
  • Ladle about 2 ounces of the crepe batter into the pan, tilting the skillet to evenly coat the pan with batter.
  • Cook until golden brown on the bottom and the top begins to look dry, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Using a spatula, carefully turn the crepe and cook on the second side just until the bottom colors slightly, about 30 seconds.
  • Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with waxed paper to keep warm.
  • Repeat with remaining batter.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the cinnamon and 2 tablespoons sugar.
  • Form the blintzes by spooning 1/4 cup of the filling down the bottom third of each crepe.
  • Fold the edges over the filling, roll to seal the filling, and arrange in the bottom of a baking dish large enough to hold them in 1 layer.
  • Bake the blintzes until the bottom is golden brown and the filling is set, about 8 minutes, and then sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar.
  • To serve, place 2 blintzes on each of 4 dessert plates.
  • Top each blintz with 1 tablespoon of the Apple Butter and 1 tablespoon of the sour cream.
  • Garnish with confectioners' sugar, if desired and serve immediately.