Czech Kolaches

Verdigre, Nebraska, known as the “Kolach Capitol” is located in the northeast corner of the state., right next to the Verdigris Creek. Verdigre is the “Czech Village in the Valley”.

Kolache: (kolach is singular, Kolache is plural)
1 ½ Tablespoon yeast
½ cup warm water
½ Tablespoon sugar

2 cups scalded milk
¾ cup sugar
2 sticks margarine
4-5 egg yolks
1 cup mashed potatoes or ½ cup potato flakes
½ Tablespoon salt (scant)
5-6 cups flour

Combine yeast, ½ cup warm water and ½ Tablespoon sugar and let soften. In large mixing bowl, combine sugar, lukewarm milk, salt, margarine with 2 cups of flour. Beat two minutes. Add yeast mixture, egg yolks and 1 cup flour. Beat two minutes. Stir in enough flour to make a soft dough. Mix until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl. Cover; let rise in warm place free from draft until double in bulk, about 1 ½ hours. Punch dough down, turn onto lightly-floured board. Make a round bun the size of a walnut or roll dough to about ½” thick and cut round shapes using a juice glass. Place on greased baking sheet at least 2 inches apart. Cover; let rise in warm place until double in bulk, about 1 hour.

Press an indentation in the center of each bun, leaving a rim ¼ inch wide. Fill with filling of your choice. (recipes for fillings follow). Sprinkle each kolach with topping made of 1/3 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ cup margarine. Let rise 10 minutes. Bake in hot oven 400 degrees about 10-12 minutes, or until done. Brush kolaches with melted margarine. Remove from baking sheet and cool on wire racks. (Yields about 5 dozen)