Slovak Cottage Cheese Rolls - Tvarohova Strudla

This Slovak cheese roll (tvarohova strudla) resembles a braided coffee cake that is filled with cream cheese and creamed cottage cheese.

Ingredients

• Cottage Cheese Filling:
• 3 pounds/48 ounces cottage cheese (small-curd, creamed)
• 3 large egg yolks (room temperature)
• 2 packages/16 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups sugar
• 10 tablespoons tapioca (instant, or cornstarch)
• Alternate Pineapple-Cottage Cheese Filling:
• 3 pounds/48 ounces cottage cheese (small-curd, creamed)
• 3 large egg yolks (room temperature)
• 2 packages/16 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 2 tablespoons butter ( softened )
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups sugar
• 12 tablespoons tapioca (instant, or cornstarch)
• 1 can/16 ounces pineapple (crushed, well-drained)
• Optional: 1 cup raisins (white)
• Dough Sponge:
• 2 cups milk (heated to lukewarm)
• 0.75 cup sugar (granulated)
• 3 packages yeast (active dry)
• 2 cups flour (all-purpose)
• Dough:
• 6 cups flour (all-purpose)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 pound butter (cold)
• 4 large eggs (beaten)
• Garnish: confectioners' sugar