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Healthy sourdough discard kolaches with a creamy cheese filling and streusel topping, using ancient grains for a tender crumb and tangy flavor.

  • Total Time: 65-85 minutes
  • Yield: 9 kolaches 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 tablespoons white sugar (dough)
  • 3/4 cup whole grain spelt flour
  • 1/4 cup active sourdough discard (straight from fridge, unfed)
  • 1/2 cup milk (warmed to about 90°F)
  • 1 cup all-purpose einkorn flour (plus 24 tablespoons for dusting)
  • 1 large egg (room temperature)
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 6 ounces softened cream cheese (for filling)
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (filling)
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (filling)
  • 1/4 cup white sugar (filling)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour (filling)
  • A pinch of salt (filling)
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon white sugar (streusel)
  • 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter (chilled and cut into small pieces, streusel)
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour (streusel)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Prepare Dough: Mix all-purpose flour and sea salt in bowl. In separate bowl, whisk warm milk, melted butter, sugar, egg, egg yolk, then add sourdough discard. Slowly add wet ingredients to flour mixture using mixer on low until rough dough forms. Knead on medium-low for 8-10 minutes until smooth elastic dough, adding flour if sticky. Place dough in bowl, cover, rise 1 hour at room temp, then refrigerate overnight.
  2. Step 2: Make Cream Cheese Filling: Using mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar, flour, vanilla extract, and salt on low until smooth (~1 min). Scrape bowl, add 1 tsp lemon juice, mix. Taste and add more lemon juice to preference. Cover and chill filling.
  3. Step 3: Prepare Streusel Topping: Combine flour, sugar, chilled butter pieces. Rub with fingertips until mixture looks like wet sand. Keep cold in fridge until use.
  4. Step 4: Form Dough Balls: Remove dough from fridge, punch down, dust surface with flour. Roll into 9-inch log, cut into nine 64g (2 1/4 oz) pieces. Shape each into smooth ball. Place seam side down on parchment-lined baking sheet, 1 1/2 inches apart. Cover and let rise 2-3 hours until puffed halfway.
  5. Step 5: Prepare Kolaches for Baking: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour bottom of a 1/3-cup measuring cup. Press cup into center of each dough ball to create deep indent. Spoon 1 1/2 tbsp cream cheese filling into each. Whisk egg white with splash water for egg wash; brush around edges of dough balls. Sprinkle streusel topping on edges only.
  6. Step 6: Bake: Bake kolaches 20-25 minutes, rotate pan halfway. Move rack up last few minutes if tops need browning. Cool on wire rack about 20 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use einkorn and spelt flour for tender, flavorful crumb or all-purpose flour as substitution (may need liquid adjustments)., Sourdough discard provides tangy flavor; substitute 1/4 cup plain yogurt plus 1/4 tsp active dry yeast if needed., Milk types: dairy or mild plant-based (almond, oat, soy); avoid strong-flavored like coconut., Cream cheese filling substitutes: mascarpone or ricotta-cream cheese blend (well drained and smooth)., Lemon juice can be swapped with lime or orange juice; vanilla extract can be replaced with almond extract (use half amount)., For sticky dough, refrain from adding too much flour to avoid dense kolaches; lightly flour hands and surface instead., Let dough rise fully; patience is key for sourdough dough., Press a deep well in dough balls to keep filling from oozing during baking.

  • Author: Laura
  • Prep Time: 45-60 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Pastry
  • Cuisine: Czech-inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 kolache
  • Calories: Approximately 167-189 calories per kolache (based on total 1500-1700 calories per batch of 9)
  • Fat: Approximately 10-11 grams per kolache (total 90-100 grams)
  • Carbohydrates: Approximately 16.7-18.9 grams per kolache (total 150-170 grams)
  • Protein: Approximately 2.8-3.3 grams per kolache (total 25-30 grams)