Uber Kolaches

Ultmate Kitsch for Uber Bohemians: The Kolache We're celebrating my Gramps' 80th birthday this weekend. And in his eyes two things in life are certain - polka music & Kolaches. Kolaches are classic, Czech wheel-shaped cakes - simple sweet buns made from yeasted dough - usually with a fruit or poppy seed filling. [yay! opiates - an ingredient as important as monosodiumglutimate] in mid-century cooking & baking] My mom is treating Gramps, friends & family to 80 of them from my his mom's [my great granny Lena] recipe. How's that for retro? Here we go... Kolaches [a labor of love. heavy on the labor - but you'll love them] 2 cups scalded milk 2 pkgs. regular rise yeast dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water 1/2 cup mashed potatoes 1/2 cup potato water (water potatoes were boiled in) 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup shortening Dissolve sugar and shortening in scalded milk while hot. Cool slightly and beat in yeast mixture, potatoes and potato water and two eggs. Sift together: 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt Beat flour mixture into yeast mixture with whisk until well blended Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1/2 hour until bubbly Add 4-5 cups to make a soft dough Work with wooden spoon, not hands Place dough in covered bowl overnight in refrigerator Day 2: Lightly knead dough on floured surface Do not over work dough Roll out to thickness of 1/2 inch Cut into circles with small juice glass Place dough disks on lightly greased cookie sheet Using finger press out area in center of disk Add 1 teaspoon of filling of choice Let rise covered lightly with wax paper Bake kolaches in order of assembly at 350 degrees 10-12m Remove from oven to cooling rack. Rub doughy outer edges of rolls with butter Sprinkle centers with coconut Set to cool Put a little Czech in your next celebration - hit the kitchen for some kolaches!