Registration now closed

The Magic of Ukrainian Dessert Crepes: Nalysnyky

Know Magic

Learn to make "as-thin-as-a-leaf", traditional cheese-filled crepes.

Registration is required.

Learn to make nalysnyky, a delicate paper-thin crepe filled with a soft, creamy, homemade cheese filling.   Nalysnyky translates literally to "as-thin-as-a-leaf". This is one of the most famous traditional Ukrainian desserts and dear to Ukrainian cookbook author and Youtuber, Halyna Artemenko's heart.  

"As tradition dictates, I made the cheese entirely from scratch. Ukrainian cuisine is deeply rooted in natural, wholesome ingredients—fresh foods that are rich in flavor and highly nourishing.  The cooking process is step-by-step, just like much of Ukrainian cuisine! First, the cheese is made, then the crepes are prepared separately. Next, the filling is mixed and wrapped inside the crepes, and finally, the nalysnyky are either pan-fried or baked with a little sugar and butter to develop a caramelized flavor.

They are traditionally served with sour cream, various jams, or honey.  This dessert is incredibly delicious, with the perfect balance of sweetness and a slight tang from the authentic cheese made from fermented milk.

My grandmother was a long lived. She lived in a village, always rose with the sunrise, worked hard, and every year she would get chickens, saying, 'I’m already old, I don’t need to wake up early, take care of the household - I can allow myself to sleep as much as I want! But I keep waking up early every morning to care for my chicks, so I can stay active for as long as possible.'

Every time one of her children or grandchildren visited unannounced—surprise!—she was always ready because she was always waiting and always loving her family. In her freezer, she always had homemade, delicious food stocked—simple dishes that everyone adored. And for this class, we're making one of those dishes, packed with the energy of family love and care. On top of that, it’s one of the most famous traditional Ukrainian desserts!"

Halyna Artemenko, originally Ukrainian, left her country in 2022 because of war and is now living in Bend, Oregon.

"Cooking has been the biggest passion in my life since an early age. Having different professional experiences, finally I turned it into my profession. I am the author of 5 culinary books and the creator of a cooking Youtube channel with 600,000 subscribers.

My culinary expertise also extended to the cooking show on radio and local TV show. Additionally, I've conducted culinary masterclasses at my cooking school, designed for amateur chefs with a passion for cooking. The proceeds from these classes were donated to charity.  For two years, I delved into the world of desserts as a private pastry chef for private clients and local cafes. This experience was followed by a five-year commitment to a sugar-free and refined-product-free diet, which inspired me to create dietary recipes as well.

I firmly believe that cooking transcends mere sustenance. It's an avenue to savor life, forge people connections, and embark on global journeys, whether from the comfort of our kitchens or through the ambiance of a restaurant. Food serves as a window into diverse cultures, daily routines, historical contexts, and ways of living. Given our intrinsic need for food daily, it's imperative that what we consume is not just nutritious but also delectably satisfying!

My Youtube channel is https://www.youtube.com/@zhiznvkusnaja.  I've crafted nearly a thousand step-by-step photo recipes for various websites, plus an additional 2,000 for my own platform. Every piece of content — text, photos, and videos — was personally created by me, ensuring a unique and authentic experience for my audience.  My website now is closed because of bot attacks on it caused by the war, but in the future I want to translate it to English, and make it open again."

Questions?  Contact laurelh@deschuteslibrary.org