Name: Sourdough Discard Kolaches: Flaky Creamy Filled Pastries Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 13 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups All-Purpose Flour (or einkorn flour for a nutty flavor); 1 teaspoon Salt; 1 cup Milk (any type works well); 1/4 cup Melted Butter (or margarine for dairy-free option); 1/4 cup Sugar (brown sugar can be used for richer flavor); 1 large Egg (or aquafaba for vegan substitute); 1 cup Sourdough Starter (essential for tangy flavor); 8 oz Cream Cheese (at room temperature); 1/4 cup Sugar; 2 tablespoons Flour; 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (or almond extract as an alternative); Pinch of Salt; Lemon Juice, to taste; 1/2 cup Flour (any type of flour works); 1/4 cup Sugar; 1/4 cup Butter (best if cold when mixed); 1 large Egg (for brushing)

Ingredients

3 cups All-Purpose Flour (or einkorn flour for a nutty flavor)

1 teaspoon Salt

1 cup Milk (any type works well)

1/4 cup Melted Butter (or margarine for dairy-free option)

1/4 cup Sugar (brown sugar can be used for richer flavor)

1 large Egg (or aquafaba for vegan substitute)

1 cup Sourdough Starter (essential for tangy flavor)

8 oz Cream Cheese (at room temperature)

1/4 cup Sugar

2 tablespoons Flour

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (or almond extract as an alternative)

To taste Lemon Juice (adjust based on personal taste)

1/2 cup Flour (any type of flour works)

1/4 cup Sugar

1/4 cup Butter (best if cold when mixed)

1 large Egg

Instructions

Step 1: In a stand mixer, combine 3 cups of flour and 1 teaspoon of salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, melted butter, sugar, egg, and sourdough starter until smooth. Gradually add this mixture to the flour and mix until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 2: Knead the dough on medium-low speed for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If it’s too sticky, add flour gradually until it pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

Step 3: Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise at room temperature for 1 hour. Punch down the dough, cover again, and refrigerate overnight.

Step 4: Prepare the cream cheese filling by beating cream cheese, sugar, flour, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Add lemon juice to taste, then refrigerate.

Step 5: For the streusel topping, mix flour and sugar. Cut in cold butter until coarse crumbs form. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 6: After refrigeration, punch down the dough, shape into a log, and cut into 9 equal pieces. Roll each into a ball, place on a lined baking sheet, cover lightly, and let rise for 2–3 hours.

Step 7: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a measuring cup to create indentations in each dough ball.

Step 8: Gently press an indentation into each ball and spoon in the cream cheese filling. Brush the tops with beaten egg and sprinkle with streusel topping.

Step 9: Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown, rotating the tray halfway through for even browning.

Step 10: Cool kolaches on a wire rack for about 20 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use brown sugar in both the dough and streusel for a deeper, caramel-like flavor.

For a dairy-free kolache, substitute butter with margarine and cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese alternative.

If you prefer a fruit twist, add a spoonful of your favorite jam or fresh fruit on top of the cream cheese filling before baking.

Keep your butter cold for the streusel to achieve a crumbly, tender topping.

FAQs

Can I use regular yeast instead of sourdough starter?

Yes, you can substitute sourdough starter with active dry yeast. Use about 2 teaspoons of yeast and adjust the rising times accordingly for a similar texture, though the flavor will be less tangy.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely. Refrigerating the dough overnight enhances the flavor and makes the dough easier to handle. You can also freeze the dough after the first rise and thaw it before shaping and rising again.