Kolache or Coffe Kuchen

Kolache or Coffee Kuchen

1/4 cup water
1 pkg yeast
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
2 egg yolks
4 cups flour
fruit puree
poppy seed filling
lemon rind (optional)
coconut (optional)
crumb mixture
sour cream (optional)

Scald (heat to near but not boiling) milk and cool to lukewarm. Use ¼ cup of it for dissolving the yeast; add 1 tsp of sugar and 1 Tbsp of flour. Let stand for 10 min. The yeast mixture should double in size.
Cream butter, egg yolks, salt, and remaining sugar. Combine the remaining milk and yeast mixture alternately with flour to the creamed mixture. Knead into a smooth dough. Let rise in a warm place until double in bulk.
Punch down and let stand 10 minutes. Shape into balls about one inch in diameter.
Place on a well greased cookie sheet about two inches apart. Let rise again until doubled in size. Make a depression in the center of each Kolache. If desired put ½ tsp of sour cream in each depression. Then add 1 to 2 Tbsp. of prune puree or apricot puree or poppy seed filling. Coconut can be sprinkled over the top of the poppy seed filling but it is optional. Brush edge of each Kolache with a mixture of 1 Tbsp of milk and a slightly beaten egg. Sprinkle with crumb mixture. Let the Kolaches rise for about 15-20 minutes.
Bake at 400 F for 15 min.


Crumb Mixture

2/3 cup butter or Crisco
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Combine with a fork or pastry cutter until blended and crumbly.

As made by Mrs. Vince Skypala

Fillings for Kolache or Coffee Kuchen

Prune Puree

1 lb dried prunes
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar

Chop dry pitted prunes and cook in water until soft and mushy. Drain and reserve the liquid. Mash the prunes and add ½ cup prune liquid and ½ cup sugar. Cook together, stirring until smooth and thick. Cool before filling Kolaches.

Apricot Puree

2 cups dried apricots
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp lemon juice (optional)

Chop dry pitted apricots and cook in water and sugar. Add lemon juice if desired. Cook together slowly, stirring until thickened. Cool before filling Kolaches.

Poppy Seed Filling

1 cup dry poppy seeds
1/2 cup milk
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp honey or corn syrup

Cook poppy seeds and milk slowly for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add sugar and honey or syrup and cook 2 minutes longer. Cool before filling Kolaches.


NOTE: Instead individual Kolaches, you can use a 9 or 10 inch round or square pan and make Coffee Kuchen.

As made by Mrs. Vince Skypala