Kolaches are a traditional Czech pastry that typically consist of a soft, yeasted dough that is filled with a sweet or savory filling. Here is a recipe for making homemade kolaches with either a blueberry or sweetened cheese filling:
Ingredients:
1 cup (240 ml) warm milk
2 1/4 tsp (7 g) active dry yeast
1/3 cup (65 g) sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp (5 g) salt
3 1/2 cups (450 g) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (115 g) butter, at room temperature
Blueberry or sweetened cheese filling (see below)
For the blueberry filling:
1 cup (150 g) fresh blueberries
1/4 cup (50 g) sugar
1 tbsp (15 g) cornstarch
For the sweetened cheese filling:
8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup (100 g) sugar
1 egg
1 tsp (5 g) vanilla extract
Instructions:
In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and 1/3 cup of sugar. Let sit for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture becomes foamy.
Add the eggs, salt, and 2 cups of flour to the bowl, and stir until a dough forms.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
Punch down the dough, and roll it out on a floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch (0.5 cm).
To make the blueberry filling, combine the blueberries, 1/4 cup of sugar, and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens.
To make the sweetened cheese filling, combine the cream cheese, 1/2 cup of sugar, egg, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Mix until well combined.
Cut the dough into circles using a round cookie cutter or a glass.
Place a spoonful of the blueberry or sweetened cheese filling in the center of each dough circle.
Pinch the edges of the dough circles together to seal the filling inside.
Place the kolaches on a baking sheet, cover, and let them rise again for about 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake the kolaches for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
Let them cool before serving.
Enjoy your homemade kolaches with blueberry or sweetened cheese filling! Note: You can also use other fillings such as poppy seeds, nuts, or fruits like apricot or strawberry.