posted by lbrabec 10-05-101 1:29 PM
Kolace
2 cakes yeast
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening or lard, melted
2 egg yolks, beaten
1/2 cup potato water
2 cups milk, lukewarm
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
6 cups flour
1/2 cup mashed potatoes
Blend yeast and sugar in a large bowl. Add melted shortening, beaten yolks, lukewarm milk, mashed potatoes and potato water. Add 3 cups flour, salt and baking powder. Mix together, then add up to 3 cups more flour (enough to form a soft dough). Knead into a big ball. Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rise till double.
Place on a floured board, cut into pieces, form balls about the size of tennis balls. Place on large greased pans, well spaced, and lightly grease tops. Let rise till light.
Make depressions for filling with fingers. (Note: This a learned technique. It's best to kind of use both thumbs to do this or pick them up and place them in the palm of one hand, while using the other hand to make depressions).Let rise again until light. Bake 13-15 minutes at 375 or till brown.
Fruit Filling-Povidly do Kolacu
2 pounds dried prunes, apricots, or peaches
1 cup sugar, or to taste
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
Cook fruit in enough water to cover till tender. Drain, pit if necessary. Mash well. Add vanilla, sugar and cinnamon. Some people like to top these with a little sweetened coconut that has been soaked in milk.
Poppy Seed Filling-Mak do Kolacu
1/2 cup poppy seeds
1/3 cup sour cream
1 Tbs. butter
1 Tbs. honey
3 Tbs. raisins
2 Tbs. sugar
Grind poppy seeds. Add sour cream, butter, honey and sugar. Cook to cream of wheat consistency, add raisins, and cool.
Cottage Cheese Filling-Tvaroh do Kolacu
16 ounces creamed cottage cheese (or dry curd if you prefer less creamy texture)
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup white or dark raisins
1/4 tsp. mace
1/2 tsp. grated lemon rind
powdered sugar
Mash cottage cheese with a potato masher till fine and smooth. Add other ingredients and sweeten with powdered sugar to taste. May be made ahead of time, but bring to room temperature before using.
Pineapple Filling
1 (16 ounce) can crushed pineapple
2 Tbs. cornstarch tiny pinch of salt
Combine, cook till thick, cool.
Cherry Filling
1 can pitted sour cherries
1 cup sugar
6 Tbs. cornstarch
Drain cherries, reserving juice. Combine sugar and cornstarch in a kettle with cherry juice. Cook,stirring constantly, till thick and clear. Add cherries. Cool.
Cream Cheese Filling
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
Fill kolaches, then bake.