Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 2 packages. yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup mashed potatoes
• 6-7 cups flour
• 2 tsp. salt

Directions

Combine milk, sugar and shortening and heat until milk is scalded. Cool to lukewarm. Sprinkle yeast into warm water and stir to dissolve. Add lukewarm milk mixture, egg, mashed potatoes and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in remaining flour and mix well. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled. Punch down, divide in half and pinch off small bits about walnut size. Place on greased cookie sheet or flat pan and let rise until double in size. When doubled punch down in center with index finger and spoon in fillings. Let rise for a few minutes. Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes or until crust is light brown. Take from oven and grease with butter to soften. Dough that is sticky makes softer Kolache. Yield: 6 dozen.

Filling:

• 1 package dry apricots
• 1/4 cup sugar

Cover apricots with water. Add sugar and cook until apricots are tender and water has cooked down. Drain and mash.

Note: You may also use apricot or other jam to fill your Kolaches.

By Robin from Washington, IA