Czech Kolache

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk (110 degrees f/45 degrees c)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup melted shortening
• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 egg yolks
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup raisins
• 2 cups cottage cheese

Recipe

• pour yeast into 1/2 cup of lukewarm water. set aside to soak.
• in a separate bowl mix together 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon salt. add 1/2 cup melted shortening and 2 cups sifted flour. beat well. add in 2 beaten eggs and yeast mixture and mix well. set aside to rest until bubbly and spongy.
• add 3 1/2 cups of flour and blend well. set aside to rise for 1 hour. punch down and let rise again for 1 hour.
• to make filling: beat together 2 egg yolks, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons flour and 1 cup of raisins. add cottage cheese and mix well.
• pinch off 1 inch balls from dough and press an indentation in the center of each. put filling in. let rise 15 minutes, then bake at 425 degrees f (220 degrees c) until golden - 12-18 minutes.