Raspberry, Rhubarb & Cream Cheese Kolachi

A memory from my hometown area was Kolache.  A bread baked on the sweeter side with a sweet filling in the center.  It has been a great many years since I've eaten this so I decided to research it on the Internet.  I count not find any pictures or recipes that were indicative of what I remembered.  I found once reference to folding like a scarf.  But no examples.  The one I tried like what I remembered.... totally failed!  So I tried the other styles that I read about and they worked fine. 
Pick 3-4 cups raspberries, wash and set aside to drain


Fresh picked Raspberries

Prepare the yeast: Place 1/2 Cup warm water, 1 Tablespoon Sugar and 2 packets of yeast, stir until the yeast dissolves.

Warm Water, Sugar and Yeast

Working Yeast

In a heavy sauce pan, warm milk just long enough for the butter to melt.  2 Cups of Milk with 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons shortening or butter

Milk and Butter in Heavy Sauce Pan

Melted Butter in Milk

Remove milk and butter mixture from heat.  Cool slightly then add to working yeast. 

2 egg yolk

Salt (yeah, I never really measure that out)

Mix Two Egg Yolks and two teaspoons of salt., then mix in 1/2 cup sugar stir into previously mixed ingredients.  Add 3 cups of flour for mixing purposed.  Then slowly add in the other 3 1/4 cups.  You will need to stop mixing and start kneading.  Sometimes you will need to add more flour to reach the right dough consistency. 

Let rise 45 minutes.
Punch down. then cut into 24 pieces.

Roll in a ball and make indentations in the center or roll out.  Fill
Let raise for 15 minutes then cook 425 degrees for 10-12 minutes,



Open Top Kolache



My attempt at a wrapped Kolache

The one in the upper right corner actually is the right one.  But I had a difficult time with my filling staying in.  It was too runny,  :^(  But the taste was excellent.


Next Time they'll look better

 For the center, I used 4 cups raspberry, 1 cup rhubarb and a cake of cream cheese.  I think I should have refrigerated it for a day before using it. 

Blending the filling