Lazy J Bar C

Lazy J Bar C

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Kolaches


Kolaches are an Eastern European sweet yeast roll. They are tradtionally shaped into a circle as a symbol of good luck, prosperity and eternity. Our Farmer's Market manager is from the Hill Country of Texas and it seems Kolaches are quite common in that area. She asked me last month if I had ever heard of them and if I could make them. I had actually heard of them and remembered seeing a recipe in my Better Homes and Gardens Old-Fashioned Home Baking cookbook.

I used that recipe as a starting point and tweaked it quite a bit after looking at other recipes on the internet.

Kolaches
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
2 cups bread flour
2 to 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons bread machine yeast OR 1 packet active dry yeast (If using active dry yeast, dissolve it in the warm milk before combining with the remaining ingredients.)
Solo brand Cake & Pastry filling in flavor of choice. (I used Poppy Seed and Apricot this time)

Mix, knead and let your dough rise until doubled using your favorite method; bread machine, manual or stand mixer. Divide dough in half and divide each half into 12 equal pieces and shape into balls. Flatten each ball to 2-1/2 inches in diameter. Cover; let rise until nearly double. Using your thumb or two fingers, make an indentation in the center of each dough circle. Spoon about 2 teaspoons of filling into each indentation.. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown. Remove rolls from baking sheets and cool on a wire rack. If desired, lightly sift powdered sugar over the tops. Makes 24 Kolaches.


I don't normally like using canned anything but in looking at the different recipes on the internet, I came across several comments that trying to use jam didn't work because it melts and runs off, so I broke down and used the canned stuff. If I was making them just for us, I would try making my own fillings but that would be a bit much to add to my already busy weekly baking schedule!

I made a batch with the poppy seed filling for our last Farmer's Market before Christmas and they were well received so I decided to make them again for this Saturday. I hope they all sell! :)

Linking up with the Down Home Blog Hop at Tilly's Nest, The Country Homemaker Hop and Farmgirl Friday.

24 comments:

2 Tramps said...

Those look so good! I have been working outside in the garden - things are still growing in my hoop houses even after dipping down to 5 degrees. I just came in, sat down and there are your pictures! I am tasting each flavor you have made virtually. We will sure give your recipe a try! Thanks!

Carolyn said...

Ooooooo, I haven't had a good Kolache since I was back in Illinois (my Dad lives in a predominant Polish neighborhood) and I ate like twenty of them in one sitting!

Will have to give these a try come Easter (along with Mama Pea's oreo cookies turned bunny rabbits).

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh I would surely buy them they look delicious. MMMM B

Sally in WA said...

Ohmigoodness, these looks yummy!

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Oh love the Kolaches...
Texas Hill County is loaded with German Heritage...and Kolaches are very big here.
I live just South of Dallas, and we have a local Mennonite Church just about 4 miles from my house in one direction and Heritage Market (Pennsylvania Dutch) 4 miles the other direction...they make the best Kolaches around here, for sure.
I've never had them with sweet pastry filling.
I've only had them with meats inside...chicken, fajita-beef, sausage, etc.
They are so delicious.
If you had a Nesco Cooker...I bet you could sell meat Kolaches and make a larger market for yourself at the market! Unless, that is forbidden by law... can't remember your COTTAGE LAWS there where you are.

These look really good ...I'm pinning this recipe!
Pat

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

These look so yummy! I could make some with fruit and some with spicy fillings too. I'm going to try and keep a blogger recipe book!

TexWisGirl said...

my mother was full-blood german, but by marrying my father, a full-blood bohemian, she had to learn to make these kolaches. we had a lot of prune ones and sometimes poppyseed. :)

Alica said...

These look delicious! I wish I lived close enough to buy some. This looks like a great recipe to try...soon! :)

Unknown said...

Ooo, I could use up some of my homemade jams with that! Thanks!!!

Anonymous said...

That looks so yummy! I wish I lived close enough to buy your baked goods.

ytsmom said...

You can make your own prune or apricot filling by cooking the fruit in a little water until soft, then mash or chop in food processor. Add sugar to taste, and a little lemon juice to brighten the flavor. Also, if you can find a recipe that uses mashed potatoes, they are really great!

Ngo Family Farm said...

They look fantastic! Never heard of them, but I would definitely eat these :)
-Jaime

Chenille Cottage said...

Incredible! These look so puffy, fresh and delicious!
Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Blessings,
Carolynn

gtyyup said...

Those look great!!! I want one...or two or three!!!

I've never heard the name Kolaches until moving here to Harney County. But the local pastry shop doesn't fill them with fruit, they roll out the dough and wrap it around a beef type sausage and throw in some cheese. Guess that's the "beef" coming out in cattle country!

Michelle said...

We use to eat these in Germany. They are so good.

Nancy said...

They are sooooo pretty! Yum!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

I have a recipe that uses homemade clementine curd, that I've been wanting to try (looking similar to your cookies). I hope to make them too. You must have a very long season for Farmer's Market. We have a very short one here.

Michaele said...

Oh these look soooo much better than the ones around here. We have a few "Czec" towns in NE (Czechoslovakians)
and one of the towns calls itself the
Kolache capitol of the world. Verdigre, NE

Our Neck of the Woods said...

I've never heard of kolaches. So cool! They look absolutely delicious. Yum!

Marigold said...

Oh. You're killin' me here ... :)

Evelyn S. said...

Beautiful food photos, Candy! I LOVE the look ..in photo or real-life...of rolls/bread rising!

Jen said...

I bet those taste really good.

A Colorful World said...

I bet those taste as good as they look! :-) Well, hope you and Jerry are having a wonderful New Year!

EMMA said...

These sound delicious! but I'm going to have to try them with jam as I have never seen pie filling here (or maybe I've never really looked!)
Thank you for sharing the recipe.