United States Flag

United States

Kolache

The pastry known as kolache originated in Central Europe where it began as a wedding dessert. Immigrants from Czech Republic brought their kolache recipes to America where it remains a popular treat in regions with Czech American communities like parts of Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, and Texas. Kolache can be made sweet or savory depending on the choice of fillings. They are most often made sweet with fillings such as fruit, cream cheese, and chocolate, like in this recipe.

Recipe Servings: 24

Prep Time
20 minutes
+ 2 hours 20 minutes resting
Cook Time
10 minutes
Total Time
2 hours 50 minutes
Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Kosher
Halal

Ingredients

  • 2 packages (¼ oz each) active dry yeast
  • 2 cups warm milk
  • ½ cup sugar, divided
  • 6½ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra to dust work surface
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup butter, softened
  • Nonstick cooking spray, as needed to grease
  • 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Stir together the yeast, warm milk, and 1 tablespoon of sugar in a small bowl.
  2. Cream together the remaining sugar, flour, egg yolks, salt, and butter in a large bowl.
  3. Add the yeast mixture to the large bowl, stirring until a stiff dough forms.
  4. Knead the dough on a work surface dusted with flour for 8 minutes, adding additional flour as needed until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
  5. Grease a bowl using nonstick cooking spray, place the dough in the bowl, cover, and let rest in a warm draft-free place for 60 minutes.
  6. Punch the dough down, and then let it rest for an additional 60 minutes.
  7. Grease a large baking sheet using nonstick cooking spray.
  8. Roll the dough to a ½-inch thickness on a floured work surface.
  9. Cut out circles of dough 2-inches in diameter using a cookie cutter or other object and place them on the baking sheet spaced apart. Let the dough rest until the circles double in size, 20–30 minutes.
  10. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  11. Press a thumb-size indentation into each circle of dough.
  12. Place a pinch of chocolate chips in each indentation.
  13. Bake for 10–15 minutes, until light golden-brown.

Subscribe Now!

View Options

Sign In

Please enter your email address and password.

Forgot Password?

Forgot Password

Please enter your email address to reset your password.