What's a Kolache?

Kolaches are as common as doughnuts in Texas. They are a rounded pastry that can be filled with different sweets, fruits or meats. Kolaches date as far back as the 1700s in eastern Europe and came to America with the Czechs who settled in Texas according to ehow.com.

Here's a good recipe if you don't have a Lone Star Kolache nearby.

Ingredients:
1 1/4 warm milk
3/4 package of active yeast (1 1/2 teaspoon)
1/4 white sugar
1/4 cup shortening
1/2 tablespoon salt
1 egg
1 egg yolk
3 1/4 cups of flour
Vegetable oil
1/2 fruit preserves

Directions:
Pour warm milk over yeast and let dissolve. Then add sugar, shortening, salt, egg, egg yolk, and flour. Stir until well combined. Remove dough to a well oiled bowl, and turn once to coat the surface. Cover, and place in a warm spot. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

Dish out dough with a tablespoon, and roll into balls with your hands. Space out on a cookie sheet with at least 1 inch apart. Allow to rise, about 30 minutes.

Flatten dough by making an depression in the center. Fill with dollop of fruit preserve. Allow to rise again while you preheat the oven. To make the Texas version flatten dough into a rectangle shape and place sausage and jalapenos on half. Then fold the dough over creating a pocket and press down the sides.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.


This recipe was inspired by multiple versions on allrecipes.com.