Dough:
3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
1 package of dry, active yeast
1/4 tsp of salt
1 1/4 cups of whole milk
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
1/2 stick of butter, cubed
1 tsp of vanilla extract
1 large egg
Filling:
1 pint of blackberries
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
2 tbsps of freshly squeezed lime juice
Streusel Topping:
1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
1/4 cup of granulated sugar
2 tbsps of butter, melted
In a large bowl, sift together 1 1/2 cup of the flour, yeast and salt. Set aside. In a saucepan, combine the milk, sugar, butter, and vanilla. Heat over medium just until the butter is melted, and the mixture is warm, but cool enough to touch (about 110 degrees). Using a mixer, add the egg to the flour mix and stir together. Then, SLOWLY, add the warm milk mix to the flour mix. Beat on high for about 1 minute, or until smooth. Next, add the remaining 2 cups of flour in 1/2 cup increments, mixing well in-between (a wooden spoon works best for this). Now, spray the sides of the bowl with non-stick cooking spray and cover with a towel. Set the bowl in a warm place* to rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Now is when you want to begin the filling. Pour the blackberries into a large, plastic, resealable bag and "squish" them up using your hands (if you have a food processor, pulse the blackberries until they are coarsly chopped). Next, in a saucepan, combine the blackberries, sugar, and lime juice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-high, and cook for 10 minutes. Pour into a bowl, and let the filling come to room temperature. When the dough has risen, and with well floured hands, "pinch" the dough into balls about 3 inches in diameter and place them on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray (flouring your hands in-between pinching each dough ball helps prevent the dough from sticking to your hands). Now, using your fingers, make a well about 1 1/2 inches in diameter in each dough ball, and fill with the blackberry filling (its better if you make the well and fill the dough ball right away, rather than make all the wells, and then go back and fill). Cover the pan with a towel and let rise again, about 35-45 minutes. Now, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. For the streusel topping, just mix all ingredients together in a bowl until the mix is a coarse and "mealy" texutre. When the kolaches have risen, sprinkle each one with the streusel. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and immediately brush the edges of the kolaches with melted butter. Then, sprinkle granulated sugar over all the kolaches. Let cool. Serve and enjoy! Makes about 1 dozen.
*When letting my dough rise, I usually preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and place the bowl on top of the stove. But any warm place will do!
