Sweet Fruit Kolaches

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk, warmed to about 110°F
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar, divided
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup dried apricots
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (for streusel)
• 1/4 cup sugar (for streusel)
• 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed (for streusel)
• Pinch of ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash

Before you cook

• Stir the yeast and a pinch of the sugar into the warmed milk and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, until foamy
• Measure out the flour, remaining sugar, and salt for the dough
• Cube the cold butter for the streusel and keep it chilled until needed

Steps

1. Pour the foamy milk-and-yeast mixture into a large mixing bowl.
2. Add the remaining sugar, the eggs, and the softened butter to the bowl.
3. Add the flour and salt on top.
4. Mix everything together until a rough dough forms.
5. Turn the dough out onto a floured counter and knead it for about 8 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
6. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, until doubled.
7. Combine the dried apricots, 1/3 cup sugar, and water in a small saucepan.
8. Set the saucepan over medium heat and bring it to a simmer.
9. Simmer the apricots for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and the liquid has thickened.
10. Mash or pulse the apricots into a thick, spreadable jam, then stir in the lemon juice.
11. Set the filling aside to cool completely.
12. Rub the streusel flour, sugar, and cold butter cubes between your fingers until pea-sized crumbs form, then refrigerate.
13. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces.
14. Roll each piece into a smooth ball and set them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced well apart.
15. Cover the dough balls loosely and let them rise again for 30 to 40 minutes, until puffy.
16. Press your thumb or the base of a measuring cup into the center of each ball to make a wide, shallow well.
17. Spoon about a tablespoon of the cooled apricot filling into each well.
18. Sprinkle the chilled streusel generously over the filling and exposed dough edges.
19. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
20. Brush the exposed dough rims with the egg wash.
21. Bake the kolaches for 15 to 18 minutes, until the dough is golden and the filling is bubbling.
22. Cool the kolaches on the pan for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack.