4 g vanilla extract (optional, for sweet version only)
Egg Wash
1 egg, beaten
15 g water to thin out
Sweet Toppings Options
Fruit jam or fruit preserves of choice (blackberry, cherry, etc.)
Farmers cheese
Coarse sugar, for sprinkling over top
Savory Filling Options
Sausage, jalapeno, and cheddar
Brisket, green chiles, and cheddar
Kielbasa and sauerkraut
Ham and Swiss cheese
Instructions
Making The Dough
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Then mix the warm milk, egg, and melted butter together in a separate container.
Once mixed, pour over the dry ingredients and incorporate them until a shaggy dough forms.
Cover and let it rest for 15 minutes before coming back to knead.
After 15 minutes, knead for 4 to 5 minutes until smooth. Let it rise on the counter, covered, for 90 minutes or until doubled in size.
Separate into 9 (roughly 80-gram) portions of dough to use for sweet or savory kolaches.
Sweet Filling Method
Thin out the dough into a 4-inch puck and then press the middle with a cup, bowl, or your hand to create an indentation that can hold the filling.
Brush the exterior rim of the shaped kolaches (not the indentation) with the egg wash, then fill with a spoonful of your sweet toppings of choice to the center (for example, a spoonful of berry preserves filled by a small spoonful of farmer’s cheese).
Optionally sprinkle the rim of the exposed dough with coarse sugar.
Savory Filling Method
For pig-in-a-blanket style kolaches: Roll or thin out your dough so that you can lay a 3-inch piece of sausage and any other toppings, and then wrap the dough so that the meat, cheese, and toppings are completely enclosed. It should resemble an enclosed pig-in-a-blanket in a cylindrical, uniform shape.
For a round, stuffed kolaches: Roll or thin out a dough portion and add your desired fillings. Close and wrap the dough around the fillings into a ball shape. Flip and put the seam side down.
Once your savory kolaches are stuffed and shaped, brush with egg wash and sprinkle with grated cheese or sesame seeds.
Baking
Preheat your oven to 400 F. While the oven is preheating, arrange your kolaches on a baking sheet (greased or with parchment paper) and let rise for 45 minutes.
Cook for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and the dough is cooked through. The savory versions will likely take a few minutes longer than the sweet ones.
Rest on a wire rack to cool.
Notes
Less is more in both the number and amount of ingredients when deciding on the fillings.
Avoid overstuffing, as the kolaches can unravel in the oven.