Preparation Steps
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar over the yeast and dissolve in lukewarm water.
Set aside.
- Heat the milk in a small saucepan and dissolve the shortening in it.
Cool to lukewarm; then add salt, egg yolks, and sugar.
- Combine milk/egg mixture and yeast mixture.
Add flour gradually andwork dough by hand or with a mixer until glossy.
Keep it a little sticky, if possible.
- Cover, place in a warm, draft-free place, and let rise until doublein size, 45 minutes to one hour.
- After the dough has risen, punch it down and knead lightly.
Divide into egg-sized portions with a spoon and form balls.
Place on well-oiled baking pans about an inch apart and butter well.
- Let rise about 15 minutes, then make indentations in the dough balls for the filling.
Fill each indention with a large teaspoon filling.
Make the Popsika with by combining 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons of melted butter until the mixture resembles crumbs.
Sprinkle the Popsika over the filling.
- Place pans of kolache in a warm, draft free place, and allow todouble in size again, about 45 minutes to one hour.
- Place in an oven preheated to 375 degrees.
Bake until golden brown, then remove the kolaches from the oven.
Cool slightly, remove from pans, and cool on wire racks.