Ingredients

One cup of warm milk; 1/2 cup sugar; 4 and 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour; 2 packages (4 and 1/2 tsp) active dry yeast; 2 eggs; 1/2 cup of unsalted butter (melted); 1 tsp of salt; For the filling: 1 cup of fruit preserves or sweetened cheese for filling; or sausage or poppy seed filling (optional).

Preparation and Cooking

• Preparation of dough: In a bowl, combine the warm milk and sugar, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk and let it sit for 5 minutes, or until foamy. Then add 2 and 1/2 cups of the flour to the yeast mixture, stirring until well combined, and cover the bowl and let it sit in a warm place for 1 hour.
• Add the eggs, melted butter, salt, and remaining 2 cups of flour to the dough, mixing until well combined and the dough soft and sticky.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 min, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours or until doubled in size.
• Then, punch down the dough and divide it into small balls, about 5cm in diameter. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover, and let them rise for another 30-40 min, or until puffy.
• Once the dough balls have risen, make a deep indentation in the center of each one using your thumb. Fill the indentation with a spoonful of your chosen filling.
• Bake the kolaches in your wood fired oven at 170-190^oC for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Keep a close eye on them to avoid overcooking.
• Allow the kolaches to cool on a wire rack before serving. It is served on its own as a breakfast item, as a snack, with coffee or tea, alongside other pastries or with a side of fruit or yogurt.