We have these little flowers growing in our yard that remind me of bluebonnets. Seeing those flowers makes me a little homesick. I always loved seeing all the fields of bluebonnets. Along with flowers, I miss the local foods. Kolaches are everywhere in the hill country to west Texas. Kolaches are these wonderfully soft, slightly sweet yeast rolls. I believe they are traditionally topped with fruit, similar to a danish. When the Czechs migrated to Texas in the 1850’s, they introduced us to the Kolache. 😀 Texans have another version of a kolache that is or filled with breakfast meats, eggs, cheese, etc. for a more savory food. Either version is great for a treat, meal, or to eat on the go. I love a cherry danish, so thinking along those lines I made Fresh Cherry Kolaches…
Cherries
These guys are packed with antioxidants and phyotnutrients! That beautiful ruby-red color of Cherries indicates they are full of anthocyanins which, help protect your heart. Cherries also have a cholesterol-lowering compounds. Cherries have sight-protecting phytonutrients lutein and zeaxanthin. Another bonus is, cherries contain compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties, which have been shown to reduce symptoms of arthritis.
Cherries are a good source of Vitamin A, C, and K. They are also a great source of fiber and beneficial minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and zinc.
Unlike some other fruits, Cherries do not ripen after being picked. Be sure to choose firm, plump, shiny cherries with green stems.
Cherry Nutrition
1 cup, pitted
Calories, 97
Fiber 3 g
Calcium 20 mg
Potassium 342 mg
Vitamin C 11 mg
Vitamin A 99 IU
Vitamin K 3.2 µg
I love the sweet smell of bread baking 😀 You have to keep an eye on these little guys when they are in the oven, their bottoms can burn fast!
- 1 cup skim milk
- 1 pkg dry active yeast
- ¼ cup water (110-115F)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 4¾ cups flour
- Cherry Filling
- Warm milk in saucepan over medium heat until milk begins to steam. Remove from heat and let cook to 110-115F. Use a candy thermometer to check temperature.
- Dissolve yeast in water; set aside until foamy.
- Melt butter in microwave and let cool for about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl combine eggs, sugar, salt and butter with a whisk. Add milk and yeast to bowl. Gradually add 2 cups of flour at a time, stirring with a wooden spoon to combine. Mix until dough begins to hold together. The dough will be very sticky. Don't over mix, dough will be moist and light.
- Coat a large bowl with canola oil. Place dough in bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size. Punch dough down until it is deflated, recover and place in refrigerator for 4 hours.
- Lightly grease a 12 by 17 inch baking pan with cooking spray or use a silpat. Leaving dough in the bowl, pinch off 2" balls of dough. Shape and arrange on baking pan.
- To fill the kolaches make an indention in center of the roll with your fingers. Fill then cover and let rise for 30-60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Let cool then sprinkle with powdered sugar.
These Kolaches are delicious! They are wonderfully soft, sweet, and full of fresh cherry flavor. These Fresh Cherry Kolaches are great for breakfast, a snack or dessert 😀
If you are looking for something quick to make with fresh cherries…
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Source:
http://www.chron.com/life/food/article/Homemade-kolaches-2081088.php
http://www.environmentalnutrition.com/issues/35_5/enonfoods/Nutritional-Value-of-Cherries_152306-1.html
http://www.environmentalnutrition.com/issues/25_7/enonfoods/150424-1.html
http://www.environmentalnutrition.com/issues/31_6/enonfoods/151707-1.html
http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/220
[…] is always going to make your food taste better. I last used cherries to make these delicious kolaches. My all time favorite way to use cherries is in an easy to make fruit […]