Czech Kolaches
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cmilk
lukewarm, divided
- 2 ½ tspinstant yeast or active dry yeast
- 1 tbspgranulated sugar
- 3 ¼ cking arthur unbleached all-purpose flour
- 6 tbspunsalted butter
softened
- 1 largeegg
- 1 tsplemon zest or 1/8 teaspoon lemon oil
- ¾ tsptable salt
- ⅓ cgranulated sugar
- ¼ cking arthur unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 tbspunsalted butter
melted
- 4 tspinstant clearjel or 2 tablespoons king arthur unbleached all-purpose flour
14g
- ¼ cgranulated sugar
- ½ cricotta cheese or farmer's cheese
well drained
- nutmeg
- 2 mediumgranny smith apples
- ¼ cgranulated sugar
- 1 ½ tbspinstant clearjel or cornstarch
- ¼ tspcinnamon
- ¼ cpecans
chopped
- ½ tspking arthur pure vanilla extract
Directions
- 1
To make the dough: Weigh your flour; or measure it by gently spooning it into a cup, then sweeping off any excess. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/4 cup of the milk, the yeast, sugar, and 1/4 cup of the flour. Mix thoroughly and lest rest for 15 minutes, until the mixture becomes bubbly.
- 2
Add the remaining dough ingredients and mix and knead until you have a smooth, somewhat sticky dough. Cover and let rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until doubled. While the dough is rising, make the topping and filling(s).
- 3
To make the topping: Combine all the ingredients until crumbs form; set aside.
- 4
To make the cheese filling: Whisk together the ClearJel or flour and sugar, then mix in the cheese and nutmeg until smooth.
- 5
For the apple filling: Peel, core, and finely chop the apples; a food processor works well here. Combine the sugar and ClearJel or cornstarch, and mix into the apples. Cook the mixture over medium heat until the apples are tender and the filling is thick. Remove from the heat and stir in the cinnamon, nuts, and vanilla. Cool to room temperature before using.
- 6
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- 7
To assemble: Transfer the risen dough to a lightly greased work surface, and gently deflate it. Cut walnut-sized pieces of dough (1 scant ounce, 28g) and shape into slightly flattened balls.
- 8
Place the pieces of dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and let rise until puffy, about 30 to 45 minutes. Using your fingers, press a deep indentation in the center of each ball (too shallow, and the fillings will tumble out as the kolaches rise in the oven).
- 9
Add a mounded tablespoon of Apple Filling, or 2 teaspoons of Cheese Filling, and crumble a teaspoon of the topping mixture over each.
- 10
Bake the kolaches for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove them from the oven and cool before serving.
- 11
Store in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 1 week. If desired, reheat kolaches for 5 minutes in a preheated 350°F oven.
Czech Kolaches
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About this Recipe
Craving a taste of Central European tradition with a beloved Texas twist? These authentic Czech Kolaches, sweet rolls filled with luscious fruit and creamy cheese, offer a delightful baking project that rewards you with 30 tender, flavorful pastries.
Why These Czech Kolaches Work
This recipe shines by offering incredible versatility with its two distinct fillings: a bright, spiced apple and a rich, creamy ricotta. You have the flexibility to make both, double one for a larger batch of your favorite, or even set aside half the dough for another time. The inclusion of lemon zest or lemon oil in the dough brightens the overall flavor, making these sweet rolls truly irresistible.
What you'll discover when you bite into one of these Czech Kolaches is a wonderfully soft, slightly sweet dough cradling a generous dollop of filling. The apple filling, made with Granny Smith apples, sugar, and cinnamon, offers a classic tangy-sweet profile, while the ricotta filling provides a delicate, subtly sweet, and creamy counterpoint, enhanced with a hint of nutmeg and vanilla. Each kolache is a perfect balance of texture and taste, embodying the comforting spirit of home baking.
Customization & Variations
This recipe provides excellent flexibility. You can easily choose to make a full batch of either the apple filling or the ricotta cheese filling if you have a strong preference—simply double the ingredients for your chosen filling. Feel free to adjust the amount of nutmeg in the ricotta or cinnamon in the apple filling to your liking. For a different texture in the apple filling, consider the chopped pecans as an optional addition for a pleasant crunch.
These sweet rolls are perfect for weekend breakfasts, brunch gatherings, or as a delightful treat with your afternoon coffee. Serve them warm from the oven for the best experience, perhaps dusted with a touch of powdered sugar if desired, though they are wonderfully flavorful on their own.