How to Make Kolaches: A Step-by-Step Guide

Discover how to make kolaches step-by-step, complete with photos. These delicious Czech pastries feature sweet cheese or fruit fillings and a tender, buttery texture, making them versatile treats ideal for breakfast, snacks, or desserts.

Discovering the Delight of Kolaches

Kolaches are more than just pastries; they are, in fact, a piece of history and a culinary tradition brought to the United States by Czech immigrants. Known for their tender, buttery texture reminiscent of brioche, these delightful treats are incredibly popular in Texas and beyond. In this blog post, we’ll discuss step-by-step instructions for making them and tips for customizing your versions at home.

What Are Kolaches?

Kolaches consist of yeast bread pastries filled with a variety of sweet or savory ingredients. Traditionally, they feature fillings such as cream cheese, fruits, or poppy seeds, making them versatile enough for any meal or occasion. Although the Czech Republic is their birthplace, kolaches have evolved into a unique staple of American cuisine, especially in Texas. There, people often enjoy them at breakfast, as a dessert, or even with savory fillings for a heartier option.

The Perfect Dough

At the heart of a great kolache is its dough. Made from all-purpose flour, yeast, milk, and butter, this dough has a hint of sweetness from added sugar. To create the delicious texture, knead the dough for 10 minutes and allow it to rise twice. The two resting periods let the yeast expand, producing a fluffy and tender finished product. The best part of this recipe is that you can knead the dough with a mixer and a dough hook, making the preparation quick and easy.

Crafting the Filling

While many people enjoy kolaches filled with various ingredients, the classic cream cheese filling, in particular, remains a favorite among them. As a result, this recipe combines cream cheese and ricotta with sugar, flour, and a hint of lemon zest to create a sweet, subtly tangy treat.

Additionally, the recipe notes list instructions for making apple and other fruit fillings, as well as a poppy seed filling.
While fruits and cheese provide a delightful sweet flavor, savory fillings, such as meats and cheeses, open up a new world of possibilities for experimentation.

The Art of Assembling Kolaches

Assembling kolaches is the best part of the process. Once the dough has risen and been shaped, it’s time to create those iconic indents for the fillings. First, press a measuring cup into each dough ball to form the perfect pocket to hold your chosen filling. Then, brush an egg wash on the edges before baking to give these pastries a golden, shiny look.

Adding a Topping

To finish the kolaches, you can add a streusel topping made from butter, sugar, and flour to create a delightful crunch in each bite. First, prepare the streusel by combining sugar, flour, and butter. Next, work the mixture with your fingertips until it reaches the desired texture. Finally, sprinkle the streusel on the outer rims of the kolaches, right on top of the egg wash. However, if you prefer a lower sugar content, you can easily omit this step.

Serving and Enjoying Kolaches

Enjoy kolaches warm and fresh from the oven for the best experience. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Then, when you’re ready to indulge again, simply reheat them for 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave to enjoy a fresh-tasting treat. Happy baking!

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How to Make Kolaches

Buttery yeast bread pastries with cheese and fruit fillings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Resting Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 55 minutes mins

Course Anytime, Bread, Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine Czech, European

Servings 16

Calories 293 kcal

Equipment

• mixer with a dough hook
• 1/3 measuring cup with a flat bottom
• 2 large baking sheets
• parchment paper or silicone mats to fit baking sheets
• basting brush

Ingredients

  

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Dough

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (17.5 oz or 496 g)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons dry active yeast
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 cup whole milk, room temperature
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
• extra flour for dusting a work surface

Cream Cheese Filling

• 6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup ricotta cheese (whole or partially skim)

Egg Wash

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon water
• pinch of salt

Streusel Topping (optional)

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into pieces and chilled
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar

Instructions

 

Dough

• Carefully measure the flour and whisk it with the salt in the mixer bowl. (The best way to measure it is to use a food scale or gently place flour in a measuring cup and level the top with a knife.) Set aside.
• Add the sugar to the melted butter in a separate large bowl with a handle. Add the yeast when the mixture is 100-110°F. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until the yeast foams.
• Mix the eggs with the milk in a small handled measuring cup and add to the butter mixture.
• Turn the mixer on low and slowly pour the butter/egg mixture into the flour, letting it mix for 2 minutes or until all the ingredients are wet. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Turn the mixer to medium-low and knead for 10 minutes. The dough will become smooth and elastic and eventually pull away from the sides of the bowl.
• Lightly grease a large bowl. Form the kneaded dough into a ball. Then, place it seam-side down in the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place it in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Punch the dough down to deflate it. Place it on a floured surface and roll it into a 16-inch log. Slice the log into 16 equal pieces.
• Keep the dough covered with plastic wrap while working. Roll each piece into a ball with a smooth top side. Place the balls seam-side down onto the baking sheets, spacing them 1 1/2 inches apart.
• Place in a warm place and let rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The balls will flatten as they rise.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Position the oven racks in the center of the oven. Firmly press a 1/3 measuring cup down in the center of each dough ball to make an indentation. Add filling to the indentation of each kolache. Brush the outer rims with the egg wash and sprinkle streusel on the rims.
• Bake for 25 minutes, rotating and switching the pans after 12 minutes. Cool for a few minutes after removing the kolaches from the oven. Serve warm.

Cream Cheese Filling

• Stir together the cream cheese, sugar, flour, zest, and vanilla until smooth. (Alternatively, use a mixer.) Add the ricotta and mix well.
• See the Recipe Notes for instructions for fruit fillings.

Egg Wash

• Mix the beaten egg, water, and salt. Use a pastry brush to spread the mixture onto the rims of each kolache.

Streusel Topping (optional)

• Combine the butter, flour, and sugar in a small bowl. Rub it between your fingers until it is well mixed and looks like sand. Sprinkle the streusel on the rims of each kolache before baking.

Notes

Fruit Fillings

 

Apple Filling

Follow these directions to make an apple filling:

1. Peel and finely chop 3 small apples and place them in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Sprinkle 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and a dash of cardamon over the apples.
3. Add 5 tablespoons of sugar.
4. Add 4 teaspoons of cornstarch.
5. Stir in 1/3 cup of water.
6. Add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla.
7. Stir and then microwave, covered, on high for 5-6 minutes.
8. Stir after 4 minutes.
9. Add more water if needed.

 

Cherry, Blueberry, Strawberry, or Pineapple

Follow these directions to make a filling from frozen fruit:

1. Chop and combine 10 ounces of frozen fruit in a microwaveable bowl.
2. Add 5 tablespoons of sugar.
3. Stir in 4 teaspoons of cornstarch.
4. Microwave, covered, on high for 6 minutes.

 

Poppy Seed Filling

Follow these steps to make a poppy seed filling:

1. Grind 2 cups of poppy seeds in a food grinder.
2. Place ground seeds in a saucepan.
3. Add 1 cup of milk.
4. Stir in 1/2 cup sugar.
5. Add 1/3 cup of minced pecans or walnuts (nuts optional).
6. Cook over medium heat for 5-10 minutes or until the poppy seeds soften and the mixture thickens, stirring occasionally.
7. Remove from the heat and stir in the zest of 1 lemon.

 

Fresh Fruit

You can use chopped fresh fruit as a substitute for frozen fruit. Use the same recipe as for frozen fruit, but add the sugar and 2 tablespoons of water to the fruit and let it sit for 10 minutes to macerate before cooking in the microwave. 

 

Pie Filling 

You can use your favorite canned pie filling as a substitute for microwaved fruit.

 

Jam Filling

Add your favorite jam to the center of each kolache. Popular choices include strawberry, cherry, and blueberry. Prune jam is a traditional flavor in the Czech Republic. 

 

Lemon Curd

Fill kolaches with lemon curd for a citrus flavor.

 

Cheese with Fruit Filling

Make kolaches with half cream cheese and half fruit filling, similar to a cheesecake with fruit topping.

 

Reheating

Microwave one kolache on high for 10-15 seconds to reheat.

 

Source

This recipe was adapted from America’s Test Kitchen.

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 7gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 279mgPotassium: 98mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 524IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Cheese Kolaches, Fruit Kolaches

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