Svatební Koláčky (Wedding Pastries)
Delicate, bite-sized sweet pastries traditionally served at Czech weddings, featuring a soft, slightly sweet dough filled with fruit preserves, poppy seeds, or sweetened cheese. They are known for their intricate lattice tops.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g All-purpose flour
- 250 g Unsalted butter(cold, cut into cubes)
- 100 g Granulated sugar
- 3 large Egg yolks
- 150 g Sour cream
- 10 g Yeast(fresh or 1 packet active dry yeast)
- 50 ml Milk(lukewarm)
- 1 pinch Salt
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 tsp Lemon zest
- 150 g Poppy seed filling(sweetened, prepared)
- 150 g Fruit preserves (e.g., plum, apricot)
- 150 g Sweetened farmer's cheese filling(prepared)
- 1 egg Egg wash(beaten with 1 tbsp milk)
- for dusting Powdered sugar
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Activate yeast: Dissolve yeast in lukewarm milk with a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- 2
In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
💡 Tip: Use your fingertips or a pastry blender - 3
In a separate bowl, whisk together egg yolks, granulated sugar, sour cream, vanilla extract, and lemon zest.
💡 Tip: Ensure sugar is well dissolved - 4
Add the activated yeast mixture to the wet ingredients, then gradually add this to the flour mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- 5
Knead the dough lightly on a floured surface for a few minutes until smooth. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
💡 Tip: Chilling makes the dough easier to handle - 6
Divide the dough into small portions (about 20-25g each). Roll each portion into a ball.
- 7
Press each ball into a mini muffin tin or onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, creating a small indentation in the center.
💡 Tip: You can also use a small glass to press the dough - 8
Fill the indentations with your chosen fillings (poppy seed, fruit preserves, or cheese).
- 9
For lattice tops (optional): Roll out small pieces of dough and cut into thin strips. Weave strips over the filling.
💡 Tip: This step requires practice - 10
Brush the edges of the dough with egg wash. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
💡 Tip: Bake in batches if necessary - 11
Let cool on a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
💡 Tip: Best served fresh
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure all ingredients for the dough are at the correct temperature (cold butter, lukewarm milk).
- ✓Don't overwork the dough, as this can make the koláčky tough.
- ✓Experiment with different fillings to find your favorite combination.
- ✓These can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for a few days.
🔄 Variations
- Add a touch of rum to the poppy seed filling.
- Incorporate dried fruit (raisins, cranberries) into the cheese filling.
- Use a mix of fillings for variety.