Do you remember the post I shared with you a few weeks ago about the cookies and punch reception we had for our daughter's wedding? It was right after the church ceremony and it was for everyone who came to the church but for some reason or another weren't able to join us for the main reception. You can read about that post HERE.
I had asked my mother, my sister, my sister-in-law and my cousin to make a few recipes of cookies that we could serve along with punch after guests went through the receiving line. It was a wonderful time and the cookies were all so delicious.
One of the cookies that my cousin, Traciene, made were Kolache Cookies. This is an old family recipe that my cousin and my aunt have been making for years. Kolache is a type of pastry yeast dough that is filled with fruit or walnuts. The dough is then rolled up into a spiral. Originating as a semisweet wedding dessert from Central Europe, they have become popular in parts of the United States. The name originates from the Old Slavonic word "kolo" meaning"circle" or "wheel." From the photo below, you can see how they got their name for the circle shaped cookies.
Kolache Cookies
Cookie Ingredients:
2 sticks butter
½ cup sugar
¾ cup milk - heated just to boiling point
3 eggs
½ t. salt
5 cups flour
1 package dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
¼ cup warm water
Filling Ingredients:
2 cups walnuts
1 cup brown sugar
1 Tablespoon butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 Tablespoon butter
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in ¼ cup warm water and 1 teaspoon sugar; set aside.
- Mix half the flour (2 ½ cups) in the butter and milk in a mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl, beat eggs and add to the flour, butter and milk.
- Add the yeast.
- Combine all the ingredients together.
- The mixture will be like a heavy batter.
- Let stand overnight in the refrigerator.
- Divide the dough into 7 balls.
- On a very well-floured surface, roll each piece out into a rectangle.
- Spread the filling to within about an inch of the edges.
- With the long side in front of you, roll up tightly and pinch the seams shut.
- Place on baking sheets that are lined with parchment paper and cover loosely with plastic wrap.
- Repeat with all the pieces of dough.
- Let rise for 1 ½ to 2 hours.
- Poke each loaf with a fork in 4 evenly spaced places before baking.
- Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes and remove from the oven and brush each loaf with an egg wash. Return to oven and continue to bake another 10 minutes or until the tops are browned.
- Let cool before slicing.
Traciene says you will want to double or even triple the filling recipe.
You can also spread your favorite jam on top of the dough in place of the nut filling.
Traciene made both the nut filling and apricot jam filling for the wedding cookies.
Here is a photo of Tyler hugging Traciene...
Joanne DiPalo says
What a lovely, beautiful wedding day celebration. The Kolache Cookies sound delicious and I love the history of the cookie. I'll definitely try this delicious cookie recipe with the nut filling and maybe add some homemade summer fruit jam. Thanks so much for sharing your post with us. Pinning/sharing.