Kolache Recipe

• ¾ cup Sugar
• 2 packets Yeast
• ½ cup Warm Water
• 2 cups Milk
• ¾ cup Shortening
• 2 tsp Salt
• 2 Egg Yolks
• 7 cups Sifted Flour
• 2 sticks Melted Butter
• Fruit Filling

• Dissolve the yeast in warm water (approximately 115 degrees Fahrenheit) after sprinkling it with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Leave this aside to rise.
• Heat the milk in a saucepan and dissolve the shortening in it.
• Allow the milk to cool and then add sugar and salt as well as the egg yolks, slightly beaten.
• Add the yeast mixture to the milk-egg mixture.
• Gradually, add flour and work the dough until it is glossy and just a little sticky.
• Cover the dough and place is in a warm place which is free from drafts. Let the dough rise for about an hour, until it is double in bulk.
• Punch down the dough and knead it slightly.
• Divide the dough into small balls, each being the size of an egg.
• In well-buttered baking pan, place these dough-balls about an inch apart. Butter these dough balls after placing them in the pan.
• Let the dough rise again for around 15 minutes and then make small indentations in them for the fruit filling.
• Fill each indentation with fruit filling and butter each kolache well.
• Place the pans in a draft-free place again, and leave it to rise again for about an hour, until each kolache is double in bulk.
• Place this in an oven which has been pre-heated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and hake until golden brown. This should happen in 20 to 40 minutes. Check on it frequently to ensure that it doesn't burn.
• Remove the kolaches from the over and coat them with melted butter.