Cream Cheese Kolache Recipe

5 from 31 votes

An authentic Texas Czech style kolache with a cream cheese filling and streusel topping.

Prep Time45

Cook Time30

Rise Time3 30

Total Time4 45

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cream cheese kolache, kolache

Servings:

Calories: 305kcal

Activate yeast by combining warm water, yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar in small bowl. Stir and let sit for 10 minutes. Yeast should be bubbly and have doubled in size.
In a large bowl, mix together sugar, milk, melted shortening or butter, salt and the egg yolk. Stir in yeast mixture. Add 1 cup of sifted bread flour at a time until 3 cups are added. Stir until a sticky dough starts to form.
Sprinkle the remaining ⅓ cup bread flour on a hard work surface, turn the dough out onto the surface and knead for 10-12 minutes. Dough will be sticky and elastic. Transfer dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover and let rise for 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Roll into a log and cut into 12 equal size pieces, approximately the size of golf balls (2 ounces each). Place dough balls in a lightly greased 9 X 13 pan and brush with 1 tbsp. of melted butter. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
Make wells in the center by pressing a lightly floured ¼ cup measuring cup into the center of each dough ball. Fill each dough ball with 1 Tablespoon of cream cheese filling. Brush sides with more melted butter. Sprinkle 1-2 tsp. of posypka (streusel topping) over each kolache. Cover and let rise for 1 – 2 hours.
Bake kolaches at 350℉ for 28-33 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 1 hour before cutting into them.

In a high speed mixer, whisk together cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk and vanilla extract for 1-2 minutes or until creamy.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon. Cut butter into dry mixture until coarse crumbles form.

Bread flour was measured before sifting.

If you prefer to use a stand mixer, follow these adjusted steps to keep the dough from becoming too soft or greasy:

Step 1: In the mixer bowl, combine the activated yeast mixture, sugar, milk, salt, egg yolk, and 3 cups of the sifted bread flour. Mix with the paddle attachment on low until a shaggy dough forms.
Step 2: With the mixer on low, slowly stream in your lukewarm melted butter or shortening. Mix for 60 seconds until completely absorbed.
Step 3: Switch to the dough hook and turn the mixer to speed 2. Gradually add the remaining ⅓ cup of bread flour.
Step 4: Knead on low for 6–8 minutes until the dough looks smooth, elastic, and cleanly clears the sides of the bowl. Proceed to the first rise as directed.

Fruit and Cream Cheese Variation - Top cream cheese filling with 1 Tbsp. of high quality fruit preserves such as peach, dewberry, cherry.

Extra Cream Cheese Filling - Double the filling recipe and add 2 Tbsp. to each kolache well if you prefer extra filling.