Ingredients

For the Kolaches

• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup white sugar
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup warm water
• 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, divided
• 1 (8 ounce) smoked breakfast sausage links (such as Eckrich®)
• 1 (8 ounce) package sharp Cheddar cheese

How to Make a Texas Kolaches

1. Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until it begins to bubble; remove from heat immediately. Stir in sugar, 1/4 cup butter, and salt and stir until sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.


2. Turn dough out onto a floured board and knead until smooth and very elastic, 10 to 15 minutes. Brush dough lightly with some of the melted butter and place in a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let sit in a warm place to double in size, about 1 hour.


3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.


4. Turn risen dough out onto a very lightly floured board. Roll into a log, cut into 5 equal pieces, and cut each piece into quarters to make 20 equal-sized pieces of dough. Use the palm of your hand to flatten and press 1 piece into a circle or oval. Add 1 piece of Cheddar cheese topped with 1 sausage half. Roll dough around fillings and very tightly pinch all seams together to seal. Smooth seams down and place kolache on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough and filling to make 20 kolaches. Brush the tops of kolaches with remaining melted butter.


5. Bake in the preheated oven until golden, 12 to 15 minutes.