Fruit Filled Kolaches Recipes

AUTHENTIC CZECH KOLACHE (KOLáčE) WITH FRUIT FILLING AND STREUSEL TOPPING

Steps:

• In a small bowl lightly whisk 1 whole egg, both egg yolks and the lukewarm milk.
• Place the egg mixture, flour, salt, powdered sugar and yeast in the bowl of an electric stand mixer, and using the dough hook, mix for 1 minute.
• Add the butter, and mix until the dough is shiny and smooth, about 7 minutes.
• With your hands, form the dough into a smooth, round ball.
• In a large bowl mix together the flour, salt, powdered sugar, and yeast.
• In a small bowl lightly whisk 1 whole egg, 2 egg yolks, and lukewarm milk.
• Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, and mix to combine with a wooden spoon. Add the butter. (It's probably going to be too hard to stir and incorporate thoroughly with a wooden spoon, so feel free to dump the dough on a clean, lightly floured surface, and mix with your hands).
• Toss, turn and knead the dough with the palm of your hands for 7 minutes, until glossy and elastic.
• With your hands, form the dough into a smooth, round ball.
• Grease the bottom and sides of a large bowl with the vegetable oil. Place the dough in the bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel.
• Let the dough rise undisturbed, in a warm place, until doubled in size, about 50 min - 1½ hours
• In a small bowl, combine the flour and sugar. Work in the butter with your fingers, lightly toss and mix, until crumbled and pea-size.
• In a bowl, lightly beat the 1 egg you reserved for brushing the dough.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C), place two oven racks in the middle of the oven, and line four baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Dump the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 4 equal parts.
• Shape each part into a bun and place it in the middle of a baking sheet. With your hands, gently flatten and tap the dough into a circle about 10 inches in diameter, ¼ inch high, and with a ¾-inch wide edge.
• Arrange the fruit evenly on top of the dough (strawberries and apricots cut-side down). Use either one type of fruit per koláč, or combine two or all three in a fun circular pattern.
• Brush the edge with the egg. Sprinkle 1/3 cup of the streusel evenly over the fruit, and lightly press down.
• Bake the koláče-two at a time-in the oven until the edge is golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. For even baking, switch the baking sheets halfway through, placing the top one on bottom and vice versa.
• Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool for about 45 minutes. Cut into slices and serve.

CLASSIC FRUIT KOLACHES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 3 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a large saucepan, heat milk, cubed butter and water to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add egg yolks; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky). Do not knead. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes., Turn dough onto a floured surface; roll to 1/2-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/2-in. biscuit cutter. Place 2 in. apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Brush with melted butter. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 350°. Using the back of a spoon, make an indentation in the center of each roll. Spoon a heaping teaspoonful of raspberry and/or apricot filling into each indentation. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool., Combine confectioners' sugar, butter, vanilla, salt and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Drizzle over rolls.

FRUIT-FILLED KOLACHES

Steps:

• In bread machine pan, place the first 11 ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed). , When the cycle is completed, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Pat or roll into a 15x10-in. rectangle. Cover with plastic wrap; let rest for 10 minutes. , Cut dough into 24 squares. Place a heaping teaspoonful of pastry filling in the center of each square. Overlap two opposite corners of dough over filling; pinch tightly to seal. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Bake at 425° for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven; brush with butter. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

CREAM CHEESE KOLACKY

Steps:

• Mix cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add flour slowly until well blended. Shape into a ball and chill overnight or for several hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
• Roll dough out 1/8 inch thick on a floured pastry board. Cut into 2 1/2 inch squares and place about 1/2 teaspoon jam or preserves in the center. Overlap opposite corners and pinch together. Place on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool on wire racks. Sprinkle kolacky lightly with confectioner's sugar.

KOLACHES

Steps:

• Make the pastry: In a large bowl, combine the yeast, milk, sugar and 1 cup flour. Mix well, cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 20 minutes.
• Melt 8 tablespoons (1 stick) of the butter. Pour into a large bowl and whisk in the eggs and salt. Add to the flour mixture and mix well. Slowly add the remaining 2 cups of flour; the dough will be soft and moist. Turn onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes, adding flour as necessary to make a soft workable dough. Place in an oiled bowl, cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, make your choice of filling.
• Make the dried-fruit filling: Place the fruit in a small saucepan and add 1/2 cup water or just enough to cover. Set aside until plumped and softened, about 1 hour. When the fruit is ready, add the sugar, cinnamon and lemon zest. Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Purée in a food processor or blender and set aside.
• Make the cream cheese filling: Using an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add the flour, egg yolk and lemon zest. Mix to blend and set aside.
• After the dough has risen, punch it down and divide evenly into 12 pieces. Roll the pieces into balls and place on an oiled baking sheet several inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly so it is about 3 inches in diameter. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Meanwhile, prepare the crumble topping.
• For the topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, butter and cinnamon. Crumble with your fingers until the mixture resembles bread crumbs. Set aside.
• To assemble and bake the kolaches: With your finger, gently make an indentation in the center of each bun, being careful not to flatten too much. Fill with 1 tablespoon of filling and sprinkle with topping. Bake until risen and pale gold, 12 to 15 minutes. While baking, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter. When the kolaches are removed from the oven, brush with melted butter and serve warm.