Syrniki are fritters made from a farmer’s cheese called tvorog and I couldn’t find a good substitute in the US or Canada for the longest time. It’s very similar to cottage cheese and ricotta, but is drier and has a tangy taste. I have used well-drained cottage cheese in the past, but you can find tvorog in any Russian or Eastern European store. If you have ever attempted to make pancakes, you will manage this recipe with ease.