Poppy Seed Kolache

This czech pastry is an great hit for your guests. I always have to be careful not to eat them all.

You need for the pastry:

4 to 4-1/2 cups flour

1 package active dry yeast

1/2 tsp freshly ground nutmeg

1 cup milk

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp salt

 2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp lemon zest

1 egg

1 Tbsp milk

For the poppyseed filling:

1 cup poppy seed

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup honey

1/3 cup chopped dates

1/3 cup chopped nuts

1 tsp of cinnamon

How to make it

Step 1: Take a large bowl and mix the flour, yeast, and nutmeg; set aside.

Step 2: Take a bowl and mix the milk, butter, granulated sugar, and salt. Put it in a saucepan and put in the butter. Heat it just until it is warm enough to melt the butter.

Step 3: Add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients along with the two eggs and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed for 30 seconds, scraping side of bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Stir in lemon zest and as much of the remaining flour as you can.

Step 4: Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic (3 to 5 minutes total). Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease the surface. Cover; let rise in a warm place until double in size (for 1 to 1-1/2 hours).

Step 5: Combine the filling ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over low heat until it thickens, stirring often. Set aside to cool.

Step 6: Punch dough down. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half. Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes. Grease 2 baking sheets.

Step 7: Roll each dough nicely thin. Cut in equal long pieces and make a cross from 2 pieces. Place a large heap of poppy seed filling onto the center of each cross. Fold them together. The poppyseeds don't have to be fully covered. Glue the four corners with some dropps of water.

Step 8: Place on well greased baking sheets and cover. Let rise in a warm place until nearly double (about 35 minutes).

Step 9: Brush with an egg wash made with one egg beaten with a tablespoon of milk. Bake in 180 degree C oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. Transfer to wire racks; cool completely.