Chodské Kolache: A Taste of Southwest Bohemia - Traditional Czech Recipe

quark cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: ricotta cheese

Cottage cheese offers a lower fat option while maintaining creaminess.

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil is a dairy-free alternative that adds flavor.

poppy seeds

🥗Healthier: chia seeds

💰Cheaper: sesame seeds

Chia seeds provide similar texture and are often more affordable.

fruit preserves

🥗Healthier: fresh fruit

💰Cheaper: canned fruit

Fresh fruit reduces sugar content and adds natural flavor.

Warm the milk to lukewarm.

Add 1.5 teaspoons of yeast and 0.5 teaspoons of sugar to the milk, stir well, and let it sit in a warm place for about 10 minutes until foam and bubbles form.

Sift flour and powdered sugar into a bowl to eliminate lumps and improve liquid absorption.

Add salt and the shredded zest of a well-washed lemon to the dry ingredients.

Melt unsalted butter in a saucepan.

Whisk the remaining milk and egg yolks into the melted butter to cool it to the right temperature for the yeast dough.

Pour the butter mixture into the dry ingredients and add 0.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

Mix the butter mixture with the flour using a wooden spoon until the dough comes together.

Knead the dough by picking it up and lifting it towards you while holding the bowl steady. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle a little flour over it and continue kneading.

Dust the top of the dough with flour to prevent drying out, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, about 1.5 hours.

Briefly knead the dough, then dump it onto a floured surface and divide it into three equal parts.

Prepare a round baking sheet about 12 inches in diameter and grease it with butter or another solid fat.

Take one piece of dough, form it into a small ball, and place it in the center of the baking paper.

Roll out the dough into a round shape using a rolling pin, gently peeling it off the paper if it sticks.

Shape small edges around the kolache using your fingers and the back of your hand.

Brush the edges with leftover egg white from making the dough.

Spread the cheese filling evenly over the entire surface of the kolache, ensuring it is at room temperature.

Place plum butter in a piping bag and create decorative patterns over the cheese filling.

Top the kolache with sliced almonds and raisins, which should be soaked in rum beforehand for added flavor.

Preheat the oven to 360°F (180°C) using lower and upper heat settings.

Bake for 18 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and the dough is beautifully baked.

Brush the top of the freshly baked kolache with a mixture of sour cream and rum.

Drizzle a few tablespoons of the cream over the kolache and gently spread it out.

Sprinkle a generous dusting of sugar over the top.

Cut a slice of the kolache and enjoy.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens