A kolache, if you’re not familiar, is a traditional semi-sweet pastry from Central Europe. Kolaches have quite the following in the United States, particularly Texas, and can be found on breakfast menus all over (we even have a few food carts dedicated to kolaches here in Portland). The light, fluffy dough usually contains a filling of fruit, poppy seeds, cheese or sausage.

This is our take on the kolache. Here, whole wheat flour and chia seeds are used to give this treat a little more nutritional oomph. If sweet isn’t your thing, or chia seeds are hard to come by, kolaches can be filled with just about anything. A quick search pulls up everything from ham and egg to pizza fillings. Enjoy!

Whole Wheat Kolaches with Chia Seed Filling

Kolache Dough

•     1-1/2 cups Milk (361.45g)
•     1/2 cup Sugar (113.4g)
•     1 cup Butter, melted (226.8g)
•     3 Eggs (136.08g)
•     2-1/4 tsp Active Dry Yeast (7.09g)
•     2 cups Whole Wheat Pastry Flour (240g)
•     3 – 4 cups Unbleached White Flour (402 – 544g)
•     1 tsp Sea Salt (4g)

Chia Seed Filling

•     1 cup Milk (241g)
•     1/2 cup Sugar (113.4g)
•     zest of one Orange
•     1 cup Chia Seed (208g)
•     1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Directions

Kolache Dough

Step 1

Heat milk and sugar to 110°F. Sprinkle yeast over warm milk and let sit until it looks creamy.

Step 2

Combine flours in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs and yeast/milk mixture and mix for 3 – 4 minutes.

Step 3

Add salt and continue to mix for an additional 2 – 3 minutes. Place dough in a well-oiled bowl, turn dough once to coat both sides, cover and chill overnight.

Step 4

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll to 1/4″ thickness. Cut 3″ round circles and transfer them to parchment lined sheet trays.

Step 5

Top the center of each round with 1 Tbsp of chia seed filling. Let rise until puffy, 15 – 20 minutes.

Step 6

Lightly egg wash and bake at 375°F until golden, about 12 – 15 minutes.

Chia Seed Filling

Step 1

Heat milk, sugar and orange zest to barely simmering.

Step 2

Add chia seeds and cook over low heat until all liquid has absorbed, 5 – 7 minutes. Add vanilla extract.