Linda Kresnek Smith's Grandmother's Kolaches

My grandmother Alvina Knesek from Moulton, Texas  and my Aunt Della Migl from Victoria, Texas would probably enjoy knowing that their recipe helped young Czech men and women continue our many rich traditions.  Please credit these two very remarkable women with the recipe. ...Linda Knesek Smith
 

For this recipe, I do use a large Kitchen-Aide mixer with a dough hook.  Can you imagine if our parents and grandparents had had one.  Of course they would say that they couldn't work such a "big old thing."

In the bowl of the mixer, I place
1 1/2 packages of dry yeast (equals 3 3/8 tsps of yeast)
1/4 c. warm water (105 - 110 degrees)
1 Tbsp. sugar.
Let stand until it dissolves and bubbles. (about 10 minutes)

In a small saucepan, place:
2 c. regular milk
1/2 c. sugar  
2/3 c. Crisco shortening
1 tsp. of salt
I usually let the shortening melt first and then add other ingredients.  Warm to 105 - 110 degrees.  (I always use a thermometer)

Mix milk mixture with yeast mixture.  Add 2 beaten eggs slowly to warm milk and yeast mix and stir well.

Add 3 c. bread flour.  Keep kneading and add more flour (about 1/2 c. at a time) until dough" shines and is velvet."  It will leave the sides of the bowl.  (I usually have at least 4  to 4 1/2 c+ of flour.  With the mixer, I usually beat it for approximately 7 minutes on medium speed.)  "The more you work the dough, the better the dough." (a quote from the women in my family)

Place in a greased bowl and allow to rise until doubled. (approximately 1 hour)  Take a floured Tbsp. of dough and put on floured surface.  Work into a roll and then flatten out with floured hands.  (If I am making sausage kolaches, I usually use more dough)  For poppyseed kolaches, I put in at least a  tsp. of poppyseed and then fold edges together and seal.  Put on greased pan (9x13 or jelly roll pan) and allow to rise again.  (approximately 1 hour)  Bake in 400 degree oven for about 10 -15 minutes.  Brush with melted butter as they come out of the oven.

This makes about 3 1/2 dozen kolaches, depending how generous you are with the dough and the filling.  

                                                               Bez prace nejsou kolace.
                                                               Without work there are no kolaches.