Decadent Bohemian Pastry Recipe: Perfect for Brunch!
Welcome to my beloved Bohemian pastry recipe! This traditional Czech pastry called koláče is usually made with yeast dough and usually filled with a variety of flavors, ranging from fruit jams to farmer cheese to poppy seeds. This pastry has been a staple in our family’s kitchen for generations, and I am excited to share the recipe with you today.
Kolaches are more than just a dessert; they are an authentic experience that brings me straight back to my homeland of the Czech Republic. Every town and city has its own take on this pastry, so it’s no surprise that each kolache factory or bakery offers up their unique version.
This recipe yields about 2 dozen kolaches or more, making it perfect for sharing at parties or events but also ideal for freezing and reheating whenever you’re in the mood for something sweet. Keep reading to discover why you’ll fall in love with this recipe and how to make it yourself.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Bohemian pastry, also known as Czech kolaches, is a traditional sweet treat that originated from the Czech Republic. It is a type of pastry called “koláče,” which has been enjoyed by families on special occasions for generations. And there are many reasons why you’ll love this recipe!
Firstly, it’s easy to make! The ingredients are simple and can be found in any supermarket. You don’t need to be an expert baker or have all the fancy equipment to create delicious Bohemian pastries. Anyone can do it!
Secondly, these pastries are incredibly versatile. There are various fillings that you can use, such as marmalade or even farmer cheese. You can experiment with different flavors and combinations until you find your favorite one!
Thirdly, Bohemian pastries make for a perfect addition to your morning coffee or afternoon tea! These sweet treats are not overly sweet, but instead have the perfect balance of sweetness and texture.
Lastly, this pastry has a nostalgic value to it as it brings back memories of traditional family gatherings and special occasions celebrated with loved ones. By making this pastry recipe, you will be bringing a piece of history and tradition into your kitchen.
So don’t hesitate to give this Bohemian pastry recipe a try! It’s easy, versatile, delicious and has a unique history that makes it all the more meaningful to bake and indulge in.
Ingredient List
Before diving into the recipe, let’s make sure we have all the ingredients on hand. For this Bohemian Pastry Recipe, you’ll need:
- Flour: 4 cups all-purpose flour
- Milk: ¾ cup warm milk + 2 cups warm milk
- Sugar: ½ cup sugar + 1 and ¼ cup sugar
- Salt: 1 teaspoon salt
- Butter: 3 ounces butter
- Vegetable shortening: 3 ounces vegetable shortening
- Active dry yeast: 2 packages (or instant yeast)
- Egg yolks: 2 large egg yolks
- Marmalade or poppy seed filling: for the traditional Czech pastry called “kolaches”, marmalade is usually filled in sweet pastries while poppy seeds are used for savory ones.
- Cream cheese filling or farmer cheese filling: to give our pastries a delectable tangy flavor, we could use a cream cheese filling instead of marmalade or poppy seeds.
- Powdered sugar: for dusting over our finished product.
Note that some ingredients may have substitutes or variations according to one’s preference. In any case, having fresh and high-quality ingredients is key to achieve the best results possible.
The Recipe How-To
Making the Dough
To make the dough for this Bohemian pastry recipe, I start by putting two packages of active dry yeast into a large bowl. Then, I add 1 cup of warm milk, 2 tablespoons of sugar 1, and 2 cups of warm water. I mix everything well and let it sit for about 10 minutes while the yeast activates.
Next, I add four cups of all-purpose flour and 2 large egg yolks to the bowl with the yeast mixture. I also add a pinch of salt, and mix everything together until it forms a soft, pliable dough.
Once the dough is mixed, turn out onto a floured surface and knead for about five minutes. This will help activate the gluten in the flour, which will give your pastry a light and chewy texture.
Finally, place the dough back in the mixing bowl that’s been coated with vegetable shortening so it doesn’t stick. Cover with a dishtowel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size (about an hour).
Filling Your Pastries
The filling for this Bohemian pastry recipe is traditionally made with either marmalade or farmer cheese, though some people like to use poppy seed as well. Here’s how to make both fillings:
Marmalade Filling
– In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 3 ounces of marmalade with 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar until it’s melted and smooth.
Farmer Cheese Filling
– Mix together 1 cup of farmer cheese, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 egg yolk.
Assembling Your Pastries
Now comes the fun part! Once your dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter or small glass to cut out circles about 3 inches in diameter.
Place about one teaspoon of filling onto each circle of dough. Then fold up the edges around the filling to make a little pouch. Set these aside to rise for another half an hour.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once your pastries are ready to bake, brush them lightly with beaten egg yolks for color before putting them in your oven.
Bake your Bohemian pastries for around 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown on top.
Substitutions and Variations
If you are looking to change things up a bit with this Bohemian Pastry recipe, there are several substitutions and variations you can try to make this recipe uniquely yours.
One substitution you can use for the traditional poppy seed filling is farmer cheese, which makes for a creamy and savory addition to your pastries. Another filling option is marmalade, which adds sweetness and tartness to your pastry.
You can also experiment with using different types of flour in this recipe. While all-purpose flour is commonly used, you can substitute it with whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour if desired. Keep in mind that the texture may differ slightly with these substitutions.
For those who are lactose intolerant or have a dairy allergy, you can use vegetable shortening in place of butter and milk in place of cream cheese. This will still give your pastry a rich flavor and tender texture without the dairy.
Additionally, you can try different shapes for your pastries by making them into crescents or twists instead of the traditional fruit-shaped kolaches. You could also sprinkle cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar on top for an extra touch of sweetness.
No matter what substitutions or variations you make, just remember to have fun with it and make it your own Bohemian Pastry creation!
Serving and Pairing
Bohemian pastries are a delightful treat that can be savored at any time of the day. Warm out of the oven, these sweet and flaky pastries can make an ordinary morning feel extra special. You can also serve them as a mid-day snack with your favorite cup of tea or coffee.
When it comes to pairing these delectable treats with drinks, I recommend going for beverages that balance the sweetness of the pastry, such as black or herbal tea, coffee, or even a cold glass of milk. For those who prefer something stronger, I suggest pairing Bohemian pastries with a light to medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais.
Bohemian pastries are traditionally filled with fruit preserves like marmalade or farmer cheese. For a creative twist, you can experiment with different flavors of jam or use cream cheese filling instead. Serve them warm with a generous dusting of powdered sugar on top for an extra touch of sweetness.
If you want to add a bit of variety to your Bohemian pastry spread, try making poppy seed kolaches as well. These pastries have a nutty and crunchy texture that pairs well with cinnamon-flavored drinks like chai latte.
Whether you’re hosting a brunch party or simply looking for a new baked good to add to your repertoire, Bohemian pastries are perfect for any occasion. So go ahead and indulge in this scrumptious treat that originates from the colorful city of Prague!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
As a busy chef, I understand the importance of being able to prepare dishes ahead of time, and the Bohemian Pastry Recipe is no exception. Once you’ve baked your pastries, you can keep them for a few days in an airtight container at room temperature. However, for longer storage, I recommend freezing them.
To freeze the Bohemian pastries, let them cool completely before placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Make sure to label and date the package, so you know when it was made. Frozen pastries can last up to three months.
When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen pastries, simply remove them from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours. You could also heat the pastries in a preheated oven at 375°F for five minutes until they are crispy and warm.
Alternatively, you could reheat them in a microwave for 10-20 seconds until they become soft and chewy. This works well if you’re looking for a quick breakfast on-the-go or snack throughout the day.
Pro Tip: If you’re reheating frozen Bohemian pastries in the microwave, make sure to sprinkle some powdered sugar over them to revitalize their taste and rejuvenate their aesthetic appeal.
Overall, preparing the Bohemian pastry recipe ahead of time is easy and convenient. You can make them in big batches and store them for later use or reheating in case of impromptu guests.
Tips for Perfect Results
If you want to make the perfect bohemian pastry, follow these tips and tricks that I’ve learned along the way:
First, be sure to measure all ingredients carefully. This is particularly important when it comes to yeast and flour. Too much or too little of either can drastically impact the final product.
When working with yeast, be sure to use the correct type and temperature of liquid. Active dry yeast needs warm water (around 110°F), while instant yeast can be mixed directly into the flour. If the liquid’s temperature is too high or too low, the yeast won’t activate and your dough won’t rise.
To ensure that your dough rises successfully, create a warm environment by turning on your oven for a couple of minutes until it reaches a temperature of around 80-90°F, then turn it off before adding your dough. Cover your dough with a damp cloth and place it in the warm oven for about an hour or until doubled in size.
When prepping your work surface before rolling out the dough, lightly flour the surface but don’t overdo it. Too much flour can dry out the dough and end up making it tough instead of fluffy.
For perfectly shaped pastries, use a sturdy cookie cutter rather than a knife to cut out your circles. A cookie cutter gives a more uniform shape and helps keep edges sealed while baking.
Filling-wise, be sure not to overload them; leaving enough breathing room will help avoid leakage during baking. An overfilled pastry will break apart while baking and you’ll lose some filling.
Finally, when they’re done baking and being cooled on a wire rack, use a sprinkle of powdered sugar as decoration right after they come out of the oven. This way, as they cool down some of the powdered sugar will absorb into the pastry adding to its richness.
Follow these tips closely and you’ll be sure to make delicious and authentic bohemian pastries every time!
FAQ
Before wrapping up this Bohemian Pastry Recipe article, let me address some frequently asked questions. Whether you are a novice baker or an experienced one, these FAQs will guide you through any doubts or issues that might come up while making these delicious parcels of joy. So grab a cup of coffee and keep reading to become a Kolache expert.
What is Czech pastry called?
Originating from Eastern Europe, kolaches are pastries made with yeast dough and commonly filled with fruit or cheese. Traditional flavors like poppy seed, apricot, and prune are still popular today in this Czech pastry. Another classic choice is the sweet and simple farmer’s cheese filling.
What is the difference between kolache and klobasnek?
Kolaches typically feature a sweet filling of fruits or cheeses, while klobasniky are commonly filled with savory ingredients such as meats and vegetables.
What is kolache dough made of?
Let’s make some delicious dough that will be perfect for our recipe. To start, we’ll need two large egg yolks, 3.5 cups of all-purpose flour (which weighs about 437.5g or 17.5 ounces, but we can add up to 4 cups if needed), 1/3 cup of sugar (which weighs about 66.67g or 2.3 ounces), and 2 1/4 teaspoons of instant yeast. With these ingredients, we’ll create a dough that will be the perfect foundation for our recipe.
What is the famous Texas Czech pastry called?
The delicious pastry known as kolache has been a part of American cuisine since the 1800s. It was brought over by Central European immigrants who settled in the hills and prairies of central and south-central Texas. At one time, there were over 200 communities in the region that were predominantly Czech.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the Bohemian Pastry Recipe is a must-try for all pastry lovers out there. With its origins deeply rooted in the Czech pastry culture, this recipe features a unique combination of flavors and textures that are sure to leave you wanting more. Its versatility also means that you can easily switch up the fillings and variations to suit your preference.
Whether you are looking for something sweet or savory, the Bohemian Pastry Recipe has got you covered. From poppy seed kolaches to farmer cheese filled pastries, this recipe offers a wide range of options that will satisfy your taste buds.
In addition, this recipe is easy to make and can be stored and reheated easily, making it ideal for meal prep and hosting guests. The tips and substitutions outlined in this article also ensure that you achieve perfect results every time.
In the world of pastries and desserts, the Bohemian Pastry Recipe is a timeless classic that deserves a spot in everyone’s recipe books. So why not give it a try? You never know, it might just become your new favorite dessert!
Bohemian Pastry Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable shortening
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 1/4 ounces yeast
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
- 1 1/2 cups preserves or 1 1/2 cups marmalade
- powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Cut the flour and salt into the butter and shortening as you would for pie dough.
- Mix sugar, yeast, milk, egg yolks in a bowl.
- Add the liquid mixture to the flour/shortening mixture and mix well. Should form a nice ball of dough.
- Cover the dough ball and refrigerate overnight or at least 5 hours.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Remove from the refrigerator and roll thin like pie crust.
- Cut in 3 inch squares.
- Put preserves in the center and fold each pastry from corner.
- Use a fork (or your thumb) to seal the edges.
- Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet (you could also use parchment paper) and bake 20 to 25 minutes in a 375°F degree oven.
- Dust with powdered sugar, cool to touch, and enjoy. Keeps well in a sealed container. .
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Chloe
Chloe is passionate about creating unique dishes that draw on the flavors of her favorite cultures. She loves experimenting with new ingredients and pushing the boundaries of traditional recipes. Her enthusiasm for cooking is infectious, and she is always eager to share her creations with friends and family.