The Kitchn: Czech yourself: Authentic recipe for Christmas kolaches brings a taste of Europe into your home for the holidays
Kolaches are a simple fruit-filled pastry. They are one of my husband's favorite foods from both his childhood and his Czech heritage. Made with a simple yeast dough and a filling made from dried fruit, they taste like a much-less-sweet version of a classic breakfast pastry.
You can make the entire recipe the night before you plan to serve them, although honestly, they are best fresh out of the oven. (The dough also makes fantastic rolls.)
This is my mother-in-law's recipe, which may or may not be authentically Czech, but it's authentic to our family. And while she makes her own filling from dried fruit, I've found that it's easier (and just as delicious) to use premade jam. We like apricot and strawberry best.
Christmas Kolaches
Makes about 16 pastries
1 packet active dry yeast
2 tablespoons warm water
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 cup whole milk
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