Kolaches Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups Milk
1/2 cup Sugar
1 Egg -- beaten
1/2 cup Butter
1 teaspoon Salt
2 tablespoons Yeast -- dry
6 cups Flour
3 cups Filling
-----FILLING-----
1/2 pound Apricots -- dried
1/3 cup Sugar
1/4 teaspoon Lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons Butter

Directions:

Dough:

1.In a large saucepan, scald milk and add sugar, egg, butter, and salt. Cool mixture to 115-120 F.

2.In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk mixture. Add flour gradually and knead to a very soft dough. Cover and let rise until doubled in size--about one hour.

3.Shape dough into balls about 2" in diameter. Place on greased baking sheets 2" apart.

4.Cover and let rise again until doubled--about 30 to 45 minutes. When they have risen, make an indention in the center of each roll. Fill each with desired filling and bake at 350 F. for 20 to 25 minutes.

Filling:

1.In a large saucepan, cover apricots with water and cook until plump and tender (about 20 minutes).

2.Drain and place in a blender or food processor and puree. In a saucepan, combine puree with sugar, lemon juice, and butter.

3.Cook over medium heat until butter has melted.