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Homemade Kolaches Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 75 reviews

Homemade Kolaches are soft, sweet yeast rolls filled with delicious prune, apricot, or cream cheese fillings. These traditional Czech pastries are perfect for breakfast or dessert and feature a tender dough enriched with butter and eggs, baked to golden perfection with a glossy egg wash finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup milk (2% or higher is best)
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large egg yolk
  • 1/4 + 1/8 teaspoon fine salt

Prune Filling

  • 6 prunes
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Apricot Filling

  • 4 scoops very thick apricot preserves

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 3 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Egg Wash

  • 1 beaten egg
  • splash of heavy cream (or milk)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Fillings: Begin by making the three fillings. For prune filling, combine prunes with honey and enough water to just cover them in a small saucepan. Boil for about 10 minutes while mashing frequently until it thickens like jam. Cool before using. Apricot filling requires no prep, simply have the apricot preserves ready. For the cream cheese filling, blend room temperature cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth.
  2. Activate Yeast Mixture: Warm the milk to 110°F (lukewarm), about 30 seconds in the microwave. Stir in yeast, sugar, and 2/3 cup of the flour. Mix well and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, roughly 30-45 minutes.
  3. Make Dough: Combine melted butter with the egg yolks after the butter has cooled slightly. Add this mixture to the yeast starter. Then add remaining flour and salt, mixing thoroughly to form the dough.
  4. Knead Dough: Knead the dough on a lightly floured board for 10 minutes until soft, supple, and not sticky. Use the heel of your hand to stretch and fold the dough repeatedly.
  5. First Rise: Grease a bowl with cooking spray, place dough inside, cover, and let it rise in a warm place or oven ‘proof’ setting until it doubles in size, approximately 1-2 hours. Optionally refrigerate overnight after rising, it will deflate but is still usable.
  6. Divide and Shape: Weigh and divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each into a smooth ball and slightly flatten into an oblong shape. Arrange on a parchment-lined 9″ pie plate.
  7. Second Rise: Allow the shaped dough balls to rise again until doubled, about 45-60 minutes.
  8. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  9. Form Indentations: Using fingers, create deep indentations in each dough piece to hold filling. Indentations should be deep enough as they may diminish slightly while baking.
  10. Prepare Egg Wash: Mix the beaten egg with a splash of heavy cream or milk.
  11. Fill and Glaze Kolaches: Spoon the chosen fillings into each indentation carefully. Brush the dough surfaces gently with egg wash, avoiding the fillings to prevent burning.
  12. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-21 minutes until the kolaches are golden brown. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean and kolaches should be firm and not sunken.
  13. Cool and Serve: Allow kolaches to cool slightly before serving warm. Enjoy by tearing apart pieces filled with your favorite filling.

Notes

  • You can use either all prune, all apricot, or all cream cheese filling by tripling one of the filling recipes.
  • If planning to bake the next day, refrigerate the dough after the first rise; it may deflate but baking will still work well.
  • Ensure the milk is precisely 110°F to activate yeast without killing it.
  • Press dough indentations firmly and deep enough to prevent fillings from overflowing during baking.
  • Egg wash adds a beautiful golden color and shine; avoid getting it on the fillings to prevent browning or burning.
  • Use a toothpick test to avoid underbaking which causes kolaches to sink in the center.

Keywords: kolaches, homemade kolaches, Czech pastries, yeast rolls, prune filling, apricot preserves, cream cheese filling, traditional kolache recipe

Find it online: https://ellaeatsdaily.com/homemade-kolaches-recipe/