Kolache

Kolache (pronounced "ko - losh") are a type of Czech/Slovak pastry filled with different things, like fruits, cheese, or sausage.  I remember my best friend’s (Ruth Ann) grandmother, Gram Huebner making kolache once a week and I would stop there on the way home from school to get her homemade pastries.  Gram Huebner would always make hers with her homemade jellies.

I wish I had her recipe now, but have to go with what I use now.  My memory always goes back to hers as being the best.

Dough

1 - .25 ounce envelope fast acting dry yeast

1 cup of warm milk

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup soft butter

1 egg

3 – 1/4 to 3 – 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 pint jar peach (or your very favorite) preserves

Sprinkle yeast over the warm milk in a large bowl or better yet, the bowl of a stand mixer that has been fitted with a dough hook.  Let sit for 5 minutes or until foamy.

Add the sugar, salt, butter and egg to the milk mixture in the bowl and stir until the mixture is combined.  Slowly add the flour, one quarter at a time until it is completely mixed in and dough pulls away from the side of the bowl.  Knead for 5 minutes.

Spray a large bowl with non-stick cooking spray.  Place the dough in the bowl and spray the top with more cooking spray.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a cotton towel.  Place in a warm, draft free space and let rise until double in size, approximately 1 hour.

Roll dough out onto a lightly floured surface.  Divide into 16 equal portions.  Roll portions into balls and place in a greased baking dish (you may have to use 2 pans to fit all the dough).  Don't worry about crowding them just a bit as they will bake together, making soft edges that my family loves.

With the back of a tablespoon or your fingers, make an indention in the middle of each ball of dough.  Fill each indention with a heaping teaspoon of preserves. 

Cover with additional plastic wrap and let rise again for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Place risen kolaches in the preheated oven and bake for approximatey 20 minutes or until light golden brown.

You may drizzle a simple powdered sugar glaze on top (powdered sugar, milk and vanilla).

Have a great Friday.  Be happy and may God bless you and yours.