Lemon Poppy Seed Kolache (2024)

As you know, I’ve entered my kolache era. Here’s a twist on a classic kolache recipe using an enriched dough with a lemon curd and poppy seed twist. They’re a perfect springtime Texas pastry.

I have this daydream that one day in the not so distant future I’ll be slingin’ kolaches and coffee in my little backyard bakery. I can’t tell if it’s a daydream or a premonition, but I’m generally in the business of making my own dreams come true so…. maybe this kolache recipe is just practice for the near future.

As I settle into my Texas kolache recipe, I thought I’d bring us a springtime version of my current favorite pastry. I love a lemon poppy seed moment, especially when it involves a secret pocket of gooey lemon curd hidden within buttery dough and sweetened cream cheese.

If you aren’t familiar with kolache, pull up a chair and settle in. Kolache are synonymous with central Texas especially, as Czech immigrants settled throughout that rural land in the 1880’s. Kolach, a single pastry, or its plural, kolache, are a made from yeasted sweet dough and often filled with fruit, poppy seeds, or sweetened cheese. The fruit compote or cheese are dolloped in the center of the yeasted dough and as they bake, the dough rises up around the filling. They’re a delight, obviously. If you’re driving through central Texas and don’t stop at a mom and pop kolache shop – you’re doing it wrong.

This recipe is based off a King Arthur Baking recipe who cites its source as a Dorothy Kubena, a long-time participant in Caldwell’s Kolache Festival. You know we’re workin’ with the good stuff if this recipe made into a kolache festival. The lemon and poppy seeds are my doing and highly recommended.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this Lemon Poppy Seed Kolache recipe:

• kolache dough ingredients that include greek yogurt, granulated sugar, kosher salt, unsalted butter, instant yeast, all-purpose flour, large eggs, and warm water. Click here for a full view of ingredients and step-by-step photos of making the kolache dough.

For the filling and toppings of these spring forward kolaches you’ll need the following:

• store-bought lemon curd (or you could make curd from scratch with this recipe!)

• fresh lemons

• poppy seeds

• cream cheese

• a large egg

• vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

• all-purpose flour

• granulated sugar

• unsalted butter

Two things make this kolache dough like little bread pillows. No.1: The enriched dough is made with full-fat Greek yogurt instead of whole milk. The yogurt works to tenderize the dough and create a lightness to the baked rolls. And No.2: The soft and sticky dough rests in the fridge overnight to help develop the flavors, and allowing the gluten to absorb the moisture and stabilize. The dough is well-rested and much easier to work with after a good night’s sleep (also, same).

If you’d like to see the dough in-process, scroll through last fall’s recipe for Apple Butter and Cream Cheese Kolaches. It’s confidence inspiring, especially once you know the dough will be rather sticky before it goes in the fridge.

After the dough has rested, divide the chilled dough into 20 equal pieces. I use this kitchen scale to make each ball 50 grams. Pat each portion of dough into a thick round disk and let settle and rest for 10 minutes before shaping and filling.

I use my fingers to create wells in the center of each kolache dough portion. We want enough room to cradle both lemon curd and a sweetened cream cheese topping, about a two inch divet. And because two fillings aren’t enough for these little pastries, I add a buttery crumble topping just before baking. Feel free to skip the crumble if this effort tips the scale for you. I totally understand that.

This soft, poppy seed studded dough bakes up to lightly golden, the cream cheese topping sets like an easy cheesecake and – the SECRET LEMON CURD POCKET!? Well, that’s just the best part.

Enjoy these kolaches warm or an easy room temperature. Though… if you have access to a toaster oven to slightly warm these buns before eating, I highly recommend a quick toast. The dough is soft but sturdy and the center bursts with sweet and tart lemon curd.

Let this be your next baking project! If you try this kolache recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. I love hearing from you!

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