Dough dominant

Kolaches, such as the one above, are popular in Central Texas.

Some holidays in our house have become synonymous with baked goods. The latest yeast-dough installment was kolaches on Memorial Day. These dough squares with dollops of jam in the center, inspired from Czechoslovakinas, are popular in Central Texas. Well, we had a little bit of Texas in California. The recipe came from Saveur magazine and was straight-forward in preparation. It wasn’t nearly as involved as the cream cheese cinnamon rolls, also from Saveur, which are delicious by the way.

I made the kolache dough balls the day before and refrigerated them overnight. Then I spooned jam into the holes and baked them the following morning. 

Kolaches sit before going into the oven. I used three jams - white nectarine, strawberry and brandied apricot and blackberry sage.

When I bit into the kolache, I could taste the dusty flour within the thick, yeasty-tasting dough. The jam helped add moisture and sweetness.

But I’m confused. When I made cinnamon rolls in April, I formed the rolls the day before baking and they turned out delicate and tender.

Here are kolaches out of the oven. The pastries are popular among Czechoslovakians.

Seeking a reason, I asked a friend in Texas for advice. She said kolaches are supposed to have a dominant dough and yeast presence.

Then I looked at a recipe at allrecipes.com, which called for shortening instead of butter. Another recipe called for mixing ingredients, including scalding milk before adding the yeast. There’s even a Prague Kolache Festival in Prague, Oklahoma.

The kolches followed the aforementioned cinnamon rolls and doughnuts for Memorial Day 2008. I was in Massachusetts last Memorial Day and fourth of July.

I like baking. My mom looks to me for biscuits. There is something about rising dough I find intriguing. Most, if not all, of the fun is looking forward to what to make for the next holiday. So with fourth of July on the horizon…. please check-in then to find out.

Please forgive me for not posting in a while. I make no excuses. Please enjoy this post and the day. Thank you.