Mom’s Kolache

Ingredients:
1 package yeast added to 1/2 cup warm evaporated milk
2 cups flour
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter
3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
Filling of choice – any kind of preserves or apricot filling (see below)
(If double, use 2 eggs + 2 yolks, 1-1/2 cups butter, 1 yeast)

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter or mix in food processor. Add egg yolks, and yeast mixture. Roll to 1/4 inch and cut into round shapes with small glass or round cookie cutter. Put 1 tbsp filling on each and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Apricot Filling: cook apricots, chop finely, add sugar to taste

Bohemian Kolache

Ingredients:
1/2 cup warm water
1 tsp sugar
1 package yeast
1-1/2 cups milk (lukewarm)
1 egg
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp salt,
1 Tbsp lard
5 cups flour

Directions:
Put yeast and sugar in warm water until dissolved. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. Mix remaining ingredients together. Roll to 1/4 inch and cut into round shapes with small glass or round cookie cutter. Put 1 tbsp filling on each and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Slovak Kolache

Ingredients:
1/2 cup warm water
2 packages yeast
1/2 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups lukewarm milk
1/2 cup soft butter
2 tsp salt
2 eggs
7 cups flour

Directions:
Dissolve yeast in warm water. Cream butter and sugar together. Add milk, eggs, salt. Combine. Add yeast, then add flour gradually. Knead 5 minutes. Put in uncreased bowl to rise 1-1/2 hours or so. Punch down and let rise again for 1 hour more. Roll to 1/4” thick or individual circles. Fill with poppy seed, nut, or other filling (roll up long roll). Let rise 30 minutes on baking sheet. Brush with melted butter. Bake 375 degree oven 12-17 minutes.

Poppy seed filling

Ingredients:
2 cups ground poppy seed
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/2 tsp cinnamon