Cherry and Cream Cheese Kolaches Recipe (2024)

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I grew up in a small town surrounded by even smaller towns with names like Prague and Bruno in what is known as Nebraska's "Bohemian Alps." As a child, I remember Czech families making kolaches, fruit-filled pastries similar to danishes, with an eggy dough and crumbly streusel topping called posypka. They were common for breakfast and dessert and a thing of cultural pride at social gatherings like weddings, Friday-night fish fries, and polka dances.While ubiquitous throughout the Czech Republic even today, kolaches are rarely seen in the U.S. outside of the Great Plains, where many Czech immigrants settled in the late 1800s. Since moving to Oregon, I had all but forgotten about them until a recent road trip from Austin to Dallas, when I learned that the rural region in between the two cities is also home to many Czech descendants. The town of West, Texas, in particular, is known for its numerous kolache bakeries.My travel companion and I pulled off the freeway at West to pick up a kolache for the road. The first bite led to a nostalgia-induced tasting frenzy in which we ended up stopping at four bakeries to compare the shapes, dough textures, and to try all the most common flavors—apricot, cherry, blueberry, poppy seed, and cream cheese. When I returned home, I was hell-bent on perfecting a recipe of my own, inspired by recollections of my childhood in Nebraska and the Texas versions I tasted, too.Since baking several batches, I’ve come to realize that it’s important to make sure the dough is moist to the point of almost being sticky, but not quite. Also, if like me, you love a deeply browned pastry crust, you’ll have to set aside that bias in favor of a lighter golden brown exterior here, which keeps the kolaches tender and prevents them from becoming too dry. For the filling, a quick jam of summer’s fresh sweet cherries is dolloped over lemon-scented cream cheese—my favorite combination.

ByAndrea Slonecker

Updated on July 20, 2023

Tested by

Tested by

Recipes published by Food & Wine are rigorously tested by the culinary professionals at the Dotdash Meredith Food Studios in order to empower home cooks to enjoy being in the kitchen and preparing meals they will love. Our expert culinary team tests and retests each recipe using equipment and ingredients found in home kitchens to ensure that every recipe is delicious and works for cooks at home every single time.

Ingredients

DOUGH

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 (1/4-ounce) envelope active dry yeast

  • 1 cup whole milk, warmed to between 100°F and 115°F

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (4 ounces), melted

  • 3 large egg yolks

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

CHERRY FILLING

  • 1 pound sweet cherries (about 3 1/2 cups), pitted and coarsely chopped

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/4 cup water

  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

CREAM CHEESE FILLING

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

  • 1 large egg yolk

  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

STREUSEL TOPPING

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

EGG WASH

  • 1 large egg yolk

  • 1 tablespoon whole milk

Directions

  1. Cherry and Cream Cheese Kolaches Recipe (1)

    Ingredients.

  2. Cherry and Cream Cheese Kolaches Recipe (2)

    Make the dough: Whisk 1 cup flour, granulated sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Add warm milk, and whisk to combine. Set aside until small bubbles begin to appear on the surface, about 5 minutes.

  3. Cherry and Cream Cheese Kolaches Recipe (3)

    Whisk together melted butter, egg yolks, and salt in a separate bowl.

  4. Cherry and Cream Cheese Kolaches Recipe (4)

    Stir butter mixture into yeast mixture using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Stir in remaining 2 cups of flour, 1 cup at a time.

  5. Cherry and Cream Cheese Kolaches Recipe (5)

    After the second cup is added and it becomes too difficult to stir, tip the shaggy dough out onto a lightly floured countertop, and begin kneading by hand until smooth and springy, 3 to 4 minutes. The dough should be very tacky and a little greasy, but not sticky. If it does stick to the surface, dust with more flour, using as little as possible.

  6. Cherry and Cream Cheese Kolaches Recipe (6)

    Transfer dough to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place bowl in a warm spot until doubled in size, 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes.

  7. Cherry and Cream Cheese Kolaches Recipe (7)

    Make the cherry filling: Combine cherries, granulated sugar, 1/4 cup water, and salt in a 2-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a steady simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced to a thick, syrupy consistency, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat, and let cool to room temperature. Stir in lemon juice.

  8. Cherry and Cream Cheese Kolaches Recipe (8)

    Make the streusel topping: Stir together flour, sugar, butter, and salt in a small bowl until crumbly. Set aside to let butter solidify. Before using, stir again to create fine crumbs.

  9. Cherry and Cream Cheese Kolaches Recipe (9)

    Make the cream cheese filling: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, egg yolk, and lemon zest in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth, about 1 minute.

  10. Cherry and Cream Cheese Kolaches Recipe (10)

    Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces (about 2 1/3 ounces each). Roll dough pieces against work surface with cupped hands to make smooth balls. Transfer dough balls to a parchment paper–lined baking sheet, and let rise, covered with a damp towel, until doubled in size, 30 to 45 minutes.

  11. Cherry and Cream Cheese Kolaches Recipe (11)

    Make the kolaches: Preheat oven to 375°F. Use your fingertips to form 2-inch-wide wells in the center of each dough ball. Whisk egg yolk and milk in a small bowl. Brush outer edges and sides of dough with egg wash.

  12. Cherry and Cream Cheese Kolaches Recipe (12)

    Cherry and Cream Cheese Kolaches Recipe (13)

    Spread 1 tablespoon cream cheese filling in each well. Make a smaller well in the center of the cream cheese, and top each with a dollop of cherry filling. Sprinkle with streusel topping.

  13. Cherry and Cream Cheese Kolaches Recipe (14)

    Bake in preheated oven until edges are light golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Cherry and Cream Cheese Kolaches Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a Danish pastry and a kolache? ›

In appearance, they resemble a danish, but there is a difference: danish dough is light and flaky whereas a kolache tends to be slightly more dense and sweet with the dough being similar to brioche.

How long do kolaches last in the fridge? ›

The dough must be refrigerated overnight. The kolache can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 1 month.

Are kolaches a Louisiana thing? ›

Klobasneks are a totally Texas invention y'all that became a savory fusion of the original sweet version. Texas calls them kolaches, whether they are sweet or not, although to avoid confusion they often include klobasniky parenthetically on recipes for the savory version.

What are the different types of kolaches? ›

The most common flavors are: prune, poppy seed, cream cheese, and apricot. I've also seen blueberry, cherry, and lemon. I'm willing to talk about savory kolaches with eggs, bacon and sausage, but honestly, I didn't grow up on those.

Are kolaches German or Czech? ›

Kolaches are a traditional Czech dessert. The name originates from the Czech word “kolo,” which means “circle.” In Czech, a single one is called a kolache, and more than one is called kolaches – though in America, you may hear them called kolaches.

Are kolaches Polish or Czech? ›

A kolach, from the Czech and Slovak koláč (plural koláče, diminutive koláčky, meaning "cake/pie") is a type of sweet pastry that holds a portion of fruit surrounded by puffy yeast dough. Common filling flavors include tvaroh (a type of cottage cheese), fruit jam, poppy seeds, or povidla (prune jam).

How long can cream cheese kolaches sit out? ›

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that any foods made with cream cheese, including cream cheese frosting, need to be refrigerated within two hours. This includes baked goods made with cream cheese, such as pound cakes and cream cheese cookies.

Can kolaches sit out all day? ›

If kept at room temperature, kolaches should be eaten within 24 hours.

Are kolaches healthier than donuts? ›

Smith said one kolache only contains between 100 and 250 calories, depending on the size and filling. Compared to a plain doughnut, which ranges between 160 and 300 calories before any filling or icing is added, it definitely makes more of a mark in the healthy arena.

What do Texans call kolaches? ›

In Texas, klobasnek are often called kolaches by people not of Czech origin whereas Texans of Czech ancestry refer to the savory doughs as klobasnek.

What is a Texas kolache called? ›

Klobasnek is the more technically correct name, for what is widely known throughout Texas as the sausage kolache.

Why do Texans love kolaches? ›

First, Texas has a strong Czech heritage, and many communities throughout the state still celebrate Czech traditions and culture. Second, kolaches are simply delicious and easy to eat on the move, unlike other breakfast food.

What is a kolache with meat called? ›

One may also find a meat (particularly sausage) option in the bakery case, but mercy on your soul if you call it a kolache. It's generally accepted that any meat-filled pastry of this family is in fact a klobasnek.

What is a real kolache? ›

Kolaches are Czech pastries made of a yeast dough and usually filled with fruit, but sometimes cheese.

What does kolache mean in english? ›

kolache (plural kolaches) A pastry consisting of a filling (typically fruit or cheese) inside a bread roll, popular in the United States.

Is a kolache like a Danish? ›

Kolaches were brought to Texas by Czech immigrants and now have a cult-like following, for good reason. Almost a Danish pastry, they are made with a brioche-like bread dough instead of laminated layers; their centers filled with creamy sweet cheese and the slightest hint of lemon.

What makes Danish pastry different? ›

First of all Danish pastries contain a high level of fat: 40%. The second difference is that Danish dough contains yeast and that isn't the case for puff pastry. This is the reason that after baking, puff pastries contain a more airy structure and a more crispy bite.

What qualifies a Danish pastry? ›

Danish pastry is made of yeast-leavened dough of wheat flour, milk, eggs, sugar, and large amounts of butter or margarine. A yeast dough is rolled out thinly, covered with thin slices of butter between the layers of dough, and then the dough is folded and rolled several times, creating 27 layers.

What makes a pastry a Danish? ›

What Is a Danish Pastry? A Danish pastry, often known as simply “a Danish”, is a layered, sweet pastry baked with Danish pastry traditions. This type of baking involves using yeast-leavened dough or puff pastry with added ingredients such as butter, eggs, milk, cream, and sugar to make the pastries richer and sweeter.

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