Everything You Need To Know About The Texas Kolache

Sharing is caring!

When it comes to food, Texas is mainly known for its Tex-Mex cuisine, like tacos, brisket, and steak. However, there’s one little treat that tourists in Texas need to keep an eye out for: Texas kolache.

This is different from all our previous options as it’s not strictly a meal or primarily savory. Instead, it’s a light, sometimes sweet, dessert, which the Texans adore.

So, are you ready to learn what a Texas kolache is and how did it start? Well, let’s begin!

What’s Texas Kolache: A Walk Down Memory Lane

In case the odd name didn’t tip you off, Kolaches didn’t start in America. In fact, they originated in central Europe, specifically in Czechia and Slovakia.

Many people traveled to the “New World” to start new lives and build their homes back then. As such, it made sense that when people moved to America, they took their favorite recipes with them.

Around the mid and late 1800s, kolache started taking over Texas with the new settlers. As a result, several bakeries today have beautiful Czech origins.

The Transformation In Texas

Before we dig into how Texas changed the kolache, we need to talk about what it was then.

Originally, the kolache was light baked goods filled with fruits, nuts, or cheese. They were the perfect goods for breakfast or a quick dessert after dinner. 

However, the Texas kolaches often feature more savory fillings, such as sausages, bacon, and jalapeños. This is probably due to the influences of Texan barbecue and the region’s general preference for hearty flavors.

As a result, there are two meanings to the word kolache in Texas, so you best make it clear which you want! 

There are the original kolaches with their sweet fillings or the Texas kolaches, which are called Klobásník and are full of savory meat.

How to Find the Perfect Kolache

If you’re searching for the perfect kolache in Texas, you need to know what to look for exactly! Here are some main factors to remember:

1. Dough Quality

If you’re in a rush and don’t have time to sample, you need certain signs to look for, like the dough!

Look for kolaches that appear fluffy and light, not stiff. A good sign of a tasty kolach is a slight shine, which indicates the baker applied butter or egg wash.

Regarding the color, a perfectly baked kolache should be golden–brown. If you find one closer to golden than brown, then it’s underbaked.  

On the other hand, if it’s closer to being brown, then it’s probably a bit dry.

2. High-Quality Ingredients 

While you might not be able to taste the ingredients just by looking, you can at least tell a lot about their quality. 

For starters, most, if not all, kolaches should have generous filling to the point where it’s peeking a little from the dough. Sparse or skimpy fillings are a red flag, as then you’ll be just eating plain dough.

Another indicator of a good kolache is the color vibrancy. This is especially true of fruit-filled kolaches, as vibrant colors usually signify freshness and quality.

3. Local

Finally, the best spot to get good kolache is the local and authentic one. How do you spot those?

Well, look for signs around you that the bakery uses traditional recipes or has Czech history. Usually, you can find those signs in the place’s name, menu description, or website.

Another trick that can help you is looking for community awards or good reviews—especially from locals—that the bakery is well-loved in the area.

Where to Get Kolache in Texas

Now that you know what signs to look for in a perfect kolache, whether savory or sweet, it’s time to visit some bakeries!

Below, you’ll find a few of the best places that make kolaches in Texas:

1. Slovacek’s – West, TX

As you can tell by its name, this little shop knows its Central European history. It’s situated right over I-35 and provides visitors with the “taste of real Texas Czech flavor!”

Inside the bakery, you’ll find around 37 types of kolaches and other assortments of deli, meat, and gifts. There are also beverages around, kept at 32 degrees to make sure it’s always cool for the visitors.

2. Czech Stop – West, TX

Though their site doesn’t offer that much information, we know one thing: Czech stop is here to promote the Czech heritage spirit!

This little restaurant opened back in 1983, also on I-35, and has been around ever since. If you want to try something truly Czech from there, order a fruit kolache and a poppy seed one!

3. Original Kountry Bakery – Schulenburg, TX

If you’re looking for a spot that doesn’t just have Czech influence but genuinely comes from it, then Original Kountry Bakery is the spot. 

This cozy bakery opened up in 1979 and soon became one of the biggest names in Texas. 

The original owners had both Czechoslovakian and German roots, which made it easier to bring authentic flavors and baking techniques to their Texan customers.

4. Weikel’s Bakery – La Grange, TX

Another spot that offers both authentic kolache and Klobasniky is Weikel’s Bakery! This is a family-operated bakery that opened way back in 1929 and continues thriving today. 

One thing that makes this business stand out is its “Just in Time Delivery” service. They promise to send you their goods anywhere in the country and it’ll arrive like it just popped out of the oven.

How to Make Authentic Texas Kolache at Home (Klobásník)

The problem with Texas kolaches is once you’ve had some, it’s hard to say no to more. Unfortunately, this can be a huge issue if you don’t live in Texas. What’s the answer?

Take a look at the recipe below to create your savory kolaches from your kitchen:

What You’ll Need:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 2 small packages of dry yeast
• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ milk
• ½ warm cup water
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 4½ cups all-purpose flour  
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• ½ pound sausage

Preparation Steps

1. Heat the milk in a saucepan on medium heat until it bubbles, then close the fire.
2. Add the sugar, ¼ cup butter, and salt, then stir until well combined.
3. Let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes.
4. Mix the warm water with the yeast for about a minute in your mixer’s large bowl
5. Add two cups of flour, the milk mixture, and eggs, and continue whisking with the dough hook.
6. Slowly add the rest of the flour.
7. Knead the dough on a floured surface until you have an elastic, soft dough in your hand.
8. Place the dough in a bowl, cover it, and let it rest for about an hour or so.
9. As the dough is resting, cut your sausages in half and pat them dry using paper towels.
10. Cut the cheese to about the same size as the sausage.
11. Once the hour is up, roll the dough into a large log and cut the log into five even pieces. 
12. Cut those pieces into 20 identical ones.
13. Take each piece you have, flatten it with your palm, and add a little piece of sausage with cheddar.
14. Roll the pieces tightly, and brush the top with eggs and butter.
15. Line the kolaches in a pan covered with parchment paper.
16. Bake in a preheated oven (350F  degrees or 175C) for about 15 minutes or until they turn a golden brown color.
17. Finally, serve and enjoy!

Tips to Make Kolaches Tastier

For those who feel adventurous in cooking, here are a few things you can do to make your kolaches tastier:

1. Go For High-Quality Ingredients

High quality here doesn’t mean an expensive ingredient; it means a fresh one! Most people are used to adding canned goods, whether fruits or meats, in their recipes. However, that’s not a good option.

Instead, search around for local farms and markets so you can purchase fresh ingredients. These are usually of excellent quality. 

Also, it’s best to use organic products, as they’re generally free from pesticides ensuring a cleaner and richer taste.

2. Add Some Glaze

Did you think a simple egg wash on top of the kolaches is enough? For some, it might be, but it doesn’t add any zest to the flavor!

If you’re making sweet kolaches, you can make a glaze from powdered sugar and milk. A small drizzle can add an extra layer of sweetness and help lock in the moisture.

As for savory kolaches, you can make a tasty glaze from balsamic vinegar, honey, brown sugar, and soy sauce! 

This little mix works especially well if you apply the glaze while the dough is warm so it soaks into it.

3. Use Some Nuts

When it comes to filling, Texas kolaches aren’t all about the meat. You can always experiment a little to add something new to the table. For instance, how about adding some walnuts or pecans? 

The nuts provide an amazing contrast with their crunchy texture against the soft dough and creamy cheese. The nutty, earthy flavor can also enhance the overall flavor profile greatly.

4. Don’t rush

Last but not least, a perfect Texas kolache needs its time to bake. This means you can’t rush the dough as it’s resting—some individuals like to cut corners! 

If the instructions say it has to rise for one hour, then one hour it is. Also, don’t take out the kolaches as soon as they turn a different color in the oven. 

Instead, take a toothpick, and insert it into a couple of them. Sounds odd? This is a little trick to help you determine if the dough is ready.

If the toothpick comes out clean with a few crumbs, you’re good to go! However, if it comes out sticky and wet with dough, then leave the kolaches a little bit longer in the oven.

If you’re worried about the top burning at the end, you can cover them with aluminum foil. 

Quick Recap

So, are you going to try a Texas kolache the next time you visit Texas? We sure hope you do! To summarize, a kolache is originally a Czech treat that had loads of fruits and cheese. 

In Texas though, it changed into a savory baked goods, that’s full of sausages, bacon, and jalapeño. It’s mainly known as Klobásník. 

You can find it almost anywhere in Texas, as it’s a loved snack. Some of the most popular places that offer it are Slovacek’s, Czech Stop, Original Kountry Bakery, and Weikel’s Bakery.