Elsie Hronek's Kolaches

Delight your taste buds with Elsie Hronek's Kolaches, a treasured recipe that brings the comforting flavors of traditional Czech pastries to your home kitchen. These soft, pillowy buns are made from a buttery, slightly sweet yeast dough and feature a luscious center filled with fruit preserves or creamy sweet cheese, showcasing the perfect balance of indulgence and simplicity. Crafted with love and care, this recipe involves kneading and rising to achieve that signature fluffy texture, with a golden-brown finish that’s irresistible. Whether served as a breakfast treat, dessert, or snack, these homemade kolaches are a heartwarming addition to any table. Dust them with powdered sugar for an elegant touch and enjoy fresh-baked goodness in every bite. Perfect for holidays, family gatherings, or just because—this kolache recipe is a timeless classic worth savoring.

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:120 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:140 mins

Servings: 24

Ingredients

• 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
• 0.25 cups Warm water (around 110°F/43°C)
• 0.5 cups Granulated sugar
• 1 cups Whole milk
• 0.5 cups Unsalted butter, melted
• 3 large Eggs
• 4 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoons Salt
• 1 cups Fruit preserves or sweet cheese filling
• 2 tablespoons Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, combine the active dry yeast, warm water, and 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbly and activated.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, gently heat the whole milk over low heat until warm (not boiling). Remove from heat and stir in the melted butter and remaining granulated sugar. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs until frothy. Gradually add the milk and butter mixture, then stir in the activated yeast mixture.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Step 5

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook for kneading.

Step 6

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 7

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 8

Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 24 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and place them on the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.

Step 9

Flatten each ball slightly and use your thumb to make an indentation in the center of each dough ball. Fill each indentation with a dollop of fruit preserves or sweet cheese filling.

Step 10

Cover the filled dough balls loosely with a kitchen towel and let them rise again for 20-30 minutes, until slightly puffy.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.

Step 12

If desired, dust the kolaches with powdered sugar before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1418.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4018.0

Total Fat 123.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 70.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 845.6mg	0%
Sodium 2745.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 651.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.9g	0%
Total Sugars 247.4g
Protein 80.1g	0%

Vitamin D 230.4IU	0%
Calcium 500.2mg	0%
Iron 26.4mg	0%
Potassium 1374.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 27.5%

Protein: 7.9%

Carbs: 64.6%