Vianoce Koláče (Christmas Pastries)
Vianoce Koláče are traditional Slovak pastries, often made during the Christmas season, but enjoyed year-round. They feature a tender, slightly sweet dough filled with various sweet fillings like fruit jam, poppy seeds, or sweetened cheese. These small, folded pastries are a delightful treat, often dusted with powdered sugar.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 cups All-purpose flour(plus more for dusting)
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Sugar
- 2 large Egg yolks
- 1 package Instant dried yeast
- 120 ml Lukewarm milk
- 225 g Butter(softened)
- 1 cup Fruit jam (e.g., plum, apricot)(for filling)
- 1 cup Ground poppy seeds with sugar(for filling (optional))
- 1 cup Sweetened cottage cheese(for filling (optional))
- 1/2 cup Powdered sugar(for dusting)
👨‍🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar. In a separate small bowl, whisk together lukewarm milk and yeast, let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. Add the yeast mixture and egg yolks to the dry ingredients. Mix until a stiff dough forms. Gradually add softened butter, mixing until incorporated. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- 2
Punch down the dough and divide it into 30 equal portions. Roll each portion into a circle about 4 inches in diameter and 1/8 inch thick.
- 3
Place about 1-1.5 teaspoons of your chosen filling (jam, poppy seed mixture, or cheese) in the center of each dough circle. Fold opposite corners of the dough over the filling to meet in the center, overlapping them slightly to seal. Pinch the edges to ensure the filling stays inside.
- 4
Place the formed koláče on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between them.
- 5
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the koláče for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- 6
Let the koláče cool slightly on a wire rack. Once cooled, dust generously with powdered sugar before serving.
đź’ˇ Pro Tips
- âś“Ensure your yeast is active by checking for foam after mixing with warm milk.
- ✓Don't overfill the koláče, as this can cause them to leak during baking.
- âś“For a richer dough, you can add an extra egg yolk.
- ✓Koláče can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days.
🔄 Variations
- Use different fruit preserves or add a pinch of cinnamon to the fillings.
- For a savory version, consider a filling of sauerkraut and onion.
- Sprinkle with chopped nuts or streusel topping before baking.