Kolaches, a Czech pastry, have become a beloved treat in Texas. These delightful pastries come in both sweet and savory varieties and can be found everywhere from gas stations to dedicated kolache bakeries. Enjoying a kolache with a cup of coffee is a simple pleasure, and they’re remarkably easy to make at home. They’re perfect for on-the-go snacking, customizable to your preferences, and can be made in large batches and frozen.
The story of how kolaches arrived in Texas is fascinating. Czech immigrants, arriving in large numbers between the late 1800s and early 1900s, established over 250 communities, primarily in rural Central Texas. These rural communities played a key role in preserving Czech culture and food traditions. West, Texas, a town of less than 3,000, is even considered the “kolache capital” of Texas.
In the Czech Republic, kolaches (or koláče) are typically sweet pastries made with a yeasted dough and topped with various fillings, like poppy seeds, plum jam, or farmer’s cheese. There are regional variations, like the larger kolaches baked in Moravia or the decorative Husky kolaches, but they’re almost always sweet and open-faced.
While sweet kolaches are found in Texas, savory versions are arguably more popular. This is where the story takes another twist. Some Texans argue that “kolache” should only refer to the sweet pastries, while “klobasnek” should denote the savory kind. The Village Bakery in West, Texas (now sadly closed), is credited with inventing the savory kolache by wrapping kolache dough around kielbasa sausage.
Over time, the term klobasnek has become less common, and “kolache” is now widely used in Texas for both sweet and savory versions. The dough itself is what makes these pastries so special. It’s an enriched yeasted bread dough, similar to a dinner roll recipe, and quite different from the flaky pastry dough used for danishes.
To make the dough, combine melted butter, warm milk, and an egg. Then, mix flour, yeast, and salt in a separate bowl. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix into a shaggy dough, and let it rest. After resting, knead the dough until smooth and let it rise until doubled.
Divide the dough into portions. For sweet kolaches, thin out the dough, create an indentation using a circular object, and fill with your favorite sweet filling, such as fruit preserves and farmer’s cheese. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.
For savory kolaches, get creative! Fillings can include kielbasa and sauteed cabbage or brisket, green chilies, and cheddar cheese. Wrap the dough around the filling, brush with egg wash, and add toppings like black sesame seeds or extra cheese.
Let the kolaches rise again before baking until golden brown. Enjoy them fresh from the oven! Experiment with different fillings and find your favorites. Whether you stick to traditional combinations or explore new flavor profiles, you’re sure to love these delicious pastries.
