Soft, pillowy dough filled with rich, spiced apple butter—these Apple Butter Kolaches are little bites of pure comfort! Whether you’re enjoying them with your morning coffee or as a sweet treat after dinner, these pastries bring a perfect balance of sweetness, warmth, and nostalgia. Trust me, once you taste one, you won’t be able to stop at just one!
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Why You’ll Love Apple Butter Kolaches
Soft & Fluffy Dough: Buttery, slightly sweet dough that’s light and tender.
Rich Apple Butter Filling: Sweet, spiced apple butter gives a cozy, autumnal flavor.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Breakfast, snack, or dessert—these work anytime!
Customizable: Swap out apple butter for other fruit preserves or cream cheese.
Make-Ahead Friendly: The dough can be prepped in advance for convenience.
Ingredients in Apple Butter Kolaches
Flour: The base for a soft, structured dough.
Yeast: Helps the dough rise to fluffy perfection.
Milk & Butter: Add richness and tenderness.
Sugar: Lightly sweetens the dough without overpowering the filling.
Eggs: Provide structure and help with the soft texture.
Apple Butter: The star of the show—thick, spiced, and full of flavor.
Cinnamon & Nutmeg: Enhance the warm, comforting flavors.
Powdered Sugar (Optional): For a light dusting on top.
How to Make Apple Butter Kolaches
Prepare the Dough: Mix flour, yeast, sugar, warm milk, melted butter, and eggs until a soft dough forms. Knead until smooth, then let it rise until doubled in size.
Shape the Kolaches: Punch down the dough and divide it into equal portions. Roll each piece into a ball and place it on a lined baking sheet.
Create Indents: Use your fingers or a spoon to gently press a well into the center of each dough ball.
Fill with Apple Butter: Spoon a generous amount of apple butter into each indentation.
Bake to Perfection: Bake at 350°F for about 15–18 minutes, until golden brown.
Finish & Serve: Let cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
How to Serve Apple Butter Kolaches
With Coffee or Tea: The perfect companion to a warm drink.
As a Brunch Treat: A great addition to a breakfast spread.
With a Light Glaze: Drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze for extra sweetness.
Warm with Butter: Serve fresh and warm with a little melted butter on top.
Additional Tips
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Helps the dough rise properly.
Don’t Overfill: Too much apple butter can cause it to spill over during baking.
Make It Ahead: The dough can be refrigerated overnight for easy prep.
Try Different Fillings: Swap apple butter for apricot jam, cream cheese, or poppy seed filling.
Freeze for Later: Store baked kolaches in an airtight container and reheat before serving.
FAQ
Q1: Can I make kolaches without yeast?
A1: Traditional kolaches use yeast for their signature soft texture, but you can try a biscuit-style dough for a quicker version.
Q2: How do I prevent the filling from leaking?
A2: Make a deep enough well in the dough and avoid overfilling. Chilling the filled kolaches before baking can also help.
Q3: Can I use store-bought apple butter?
A3: Absolutely! Choose a high-quality apple butter for the best flavor.
Q4: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A4: Yes! Prepare the dough and refrigerate overnight, then let it come to room temperature before shaping.
Q5: How do I store leftover kolaches?
A5: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to a week.
Q6: Can I freeze kolaches?
A6: Yes! Freeze baked kolaches in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven before serving.
Q7: What’s the best way to reheat them?
A7: Warm them in the oven at 300°F for a few minutes, or microwave for 10–15 seconds.
Q8: Can I add a crumb topping?
A8: Yes! A simple streusel topping made with butter, sugar, and flour adds extra texture.
Q9: What other fillings can I use?
A9: Apricot jam, cream cheese, poppy seed, or berry preserves all work beautifully.
Q10: Are kolaches Czech or Texan?
A10: Kolaches originated in Czech cuisine but have become a staple in Texas bakeries with both sweet and savory variations.
Light, fluffy, and bursting with apple butter goodness, these Apple Butter Kolaches are the perfect way to bring a little homemade joy to your table. Try them once, and they’ll become a favorite!
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Apple Butter Kolaches
- Prep Time: Overnight + 2 hours
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: About 20 kolaches 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These soft, pillowy Texas-style kolaches are filled with a luscious sweet cream cheese mixture and spiced apple butter, then topped with a buttery crumble. A perfect breakfast or brunch treat with warm
Ingredients
For the Kolache Dough:
- 1 cup (228g) full-fat Greek yogurt, room temp
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 8 tbsp (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
- 1/2 cup (113g) warm water
- 2 large eggs
- 4 cups (485g) all-purpose flour, plus extra as needed
For the Filling:
- 1 heaping cup quality apple butter
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup (35g) powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste
For the Crumble Topping:
- 3/4 cup (90g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (175g) granulated sugar
- 6 tbsp (85g) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Dough:
- In a bowl, whisk yogurt, sugar, and salt. Stir in melted butter.
- In a stand mixer with a dough hook, combine flour, yeast, warm water, and eggs.
- Add the yogurt mixture and mix roughly. Knead on low speed for 5 minutes until dough is tacky but pulls away from the bowl. Add up to 1/2 cup extra flour if needed.
- Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
2️⃣ Prepare the Fillings & Topping:
- Cheese Filling: Beat together cream cheese, egg, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla until smooth. Refrigerate.
- Crumble Topping: Mix flour, sugar, and melted butter with your fingers until sandy. Refrigerate.
3️⃣ Shape the Kolaches:
- Divide dough into 20 pieces (50g each, golf ball size).
- Place on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing 1 inch apart. Flatten to 1/2-inch thick.
- Cover with greased plastic wrap and rest for 10 minutes.
4️⃣ Fill & Rise:
- Using fingers, press deep indentations in each dough ball.
- Fill each with 1 tbsp cheese filling and 1 tbsp apple butter. Sprinkle with crumble topping.
- Cover and let rise 45 minutes (they won’t double in size).
5️⃣ Bake & Serve:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve warm or at room temperature. Store airtight at room temp for a few days, or freeze and reheat covered in foil.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 kolache
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg