Sweet Kolaches
Have you ever made or baked something that you liked and then later could not put your hands on the recipe to save your life? Today, that happened to me. Where did I put that recipe? Now I’m so annoyed with myself I just googled for recipes and found this one by The Homesick Texan. I figure since she’s a Texan too, her version might be similar to the one I’ve lost, err uh, misplaced.
In sticking with “orange” month I added orange zest to the cream cheese filling. Soft, little pillow puffs of dough filled with creamy, citrusy goodness. Actually I could have just eaten the filling with a spoon and been happy. Czech in origin and originally used as sweets at weddings, Kolaches are popular in the Czech towns of West, Caldwell, and Schlumberg, Texas. A pass through any one of these communities will leave you wondering which bakery to enter and choose your Kolache, either sweet or savory.
No, Kolaches are not strangers to us….that recipe though. It’s alright, you can laugh with me. While you’re giggling at my absent-mindedness, which I might add is highly unlike me, go ahead and leave me a comment because it’ll make me feel better.
Enjoy!
Kolaches With Orange Cream Cheese Filling
(adapted from The Homesick Texan)
Ingredients:
1 package of active dry yeast
1 cup of warm milk
1/4 cup sugar
3 cups of all-purpose flour
2 eggs
3/4 cup of melted butter
1 teaspoon of salt
Method:
In a large bowl, combine yeast, warm milk, sugar and one cup of flour. Cover and let it rise until doubled in size.
Beat together eggs, 1/2 cup of melted butter (reserve 1/4 cup for brushing on the pastry) and salt.
Add egg mixture to yeast mixture and blend.
Stir in about two more cups of flour, 1/2 cup at a time. The dough should be soft and moist.
Knead dough for about 10 minutes on floured surface. Don’t worry, it’s a joy to knead as the dough is smooth and highly malleable.
Put dough in a greased bowl and let rise covered until doubled in size—about an hour.
After dough has risen, punch it down and pull off egg-sized pieces. In your hands, roll pieces into balls and then flatten to about three inches in diameter. Brush with melted butter.
Place flattened pieces on a greased cookie sheet, cover and let rise again for another half-hour.
After second rising, with your finger gently make an indention in the center of the dough (be careful not to flatten it too much) and fill with one tablespoon of filling (recipe to follow) and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Bake in oven at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.
Orange-Cream Cheese Kolache Filling
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup sugar
Zest of one orange
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Beat all ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl. Follow recipe above as directed.
I can definitely relate!! I read so many cookbooks, magazines, emailed recipes, online…that I forget where I found what had interested me!!! My mother had a recipe for what I thought were Kolachis, but they were flat, filled and folded. These look really tempting..love the orange filling and the sweet zesty topping!
Memories from my childhood! My mother used to make these and used a filling that I think was equal parts stewed prunes and apricot jam. Don’t laugh…it tastes wonderful. Thanks for taking me back (well, I won’t say exactly how many years, but considerable!)
Suzy, yes Kolaches are often filled with fruit and savory ones with meats and or cheeses. Prunes and apricots actually sounds yummy to me. Is your family Czech? Greg, I was busy and I love being busy in my kitchen. Thanks for the photo compliment! Charles, Hate it when that happens – losing a great recipe. Also you need to be on the lookout for my waffle recipe – coming soon. I think you’ll enjoy the versatility it brings to the table!
These are just awesome. Love the photos too. You’re busy today!
My mother used to make the most amazing dark chocolate cookies, and her recipe got lost in the mists of time somewhere, never to be seen again 🙁
I love the look of these little bites – how beautiful, I bet the filling especially goes really well with them!
I’ve never heard about these before. Thank you, they look delicious!
Thank you Claire!
These look amazing! It’s always so sad when you lose a beloved recipe… but at least the internet is great for helping out with finding a new one!
Hi Stephanie – Welcome to The Orange Bee! Yes thank goodness for google when in need of a recipe.
I grew up in Texas (Richmond-Rosenberg) and kolaches were a wonderful treat for breakfast. The last time I was there, I discovered that the bakery that made them is gone. I was so disappointed. Your recipe sounds great.
Thanks Karen. There are still bakeries making Kolaches in many parts of Texas. They are tasty!
Your recipe sounds yummy, I’ll have to try them. I’ve been making kolaches myself for over a year, and here’s how I do it: http://derekjohnson05.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/blueberry-rhubarb-kolaches/
Some of my other cooking pieces: http://derekjohnson05.wordpress.com/category/cooking/
Keep up the good work!
Hi Derek – welcome! I’m just getting my new computer up and running so I”ll be over to see your Kolache recipe soon. right now I”m just trying to manage my own blog and figure out how to work my new mac mini.