Kolaches (Czech Sweet Buns)

These lovely kolaches have been brought to you by Red Star Yeast, 
and I am happy to give you my honest opinion about the entire delicious process.

Kolaches, also known as Kolacky, are slightly sweet yeast rolls topped with various fillings, often fruit or cream cheese. These round buns have been enjoyed for centuries in Europe (they are Czechoslovakian in origin), and came to the United States with Czech immigrants in the mid 1800s.

Kolaches were originally reserved for special occasions, such as weddings or holidays. The ingredients- sugar, eggs, butter, and white flour- were too expensive to use very often.

If you've ever had a kolache (ko' la chee), you know why they've been popular for hundreds of years. They have a huge fan base; people often travel miles out of their way to reach a favorite kolache bakery.

A special holiday, such as Easter, is the perfect time to enjoy traditional kolaches. Here is Red Star Yeast's recipe for soft, sweet, kolache dough (makes 12 to 14 buns):

Kolaches

Ingredients

For the dough:

¼ cup water
¾ cup milk
¼ cup butter, room temperature
3 and 1/2 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup Sugar
2+1/4 tsp Active Dry Red Star Yeast
1 egg, room temperature

optional egg wash: 1 egg lightly whisked with 2 teaspoons water 

Directions

Combine water, milk, and butter in a microwave safe bowl. Heat to 120 to 130 degrees. 

Combine 1 cup of the flour called for, salt, sugar, and yeast in the mixing bowl of your stand mixer. Using paddle on low, combine ingredients, then slowly pour milk mixture into flour mixture. Mix on medium speed for four minutes. Add egg; beat 1 minute. Gradually add remaining flour and knead with dough hook 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in lightly oiled bowl and turn to grease top. Cover; let rise until dough tests ripe.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Punch down dough. Shape into 1 to 1½-inch balls; place on greased or parchment paper covered cookie sheets. Pat dough balls down to flatten slightly. Let rest 10-15 minutes until slightly puffy. Using 2 fingers, make indentations in each. Brush edges lightly with egg wash if desired. Spoon 2 teaspoons of filling (recipes below) into each. Bake at 375°F for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire rack to cool. Serve warm or room temperature.

For the fillings (by Yesterfood)

Apricot
6 oz. dried apricots
3/4 cup orange juice
6 tablespoons sugar
1 and 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

In small covered saucepan, simmer apricots in orange juice until tender, 35 to 45 minutes. Drain apricots; discard juice. Pour apricots, sugar, and lemon juice into food processor and blend until fairly smooth and of desired consistency. Refrigerate leftovers. Keeps for several days.

Cream Cheese

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon sugar

1 large egg yolk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla OR 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Mix all ingredients until smooth and well-combined. Refrigerate leftovers.

Print Recipes for kolache and fillings

Please see Red Star Yeast for more kolache fillings recipes, 

and more holiday recipes.

Connect with Red Star Yeast on your favorite social media:

      

You may also enjoy another Red Star Yeast recipe, 

Rustic Oatmeal Casserole Bread:

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