Elsie Hronek's Kolaches

Description
This is a traditional Bohemian pastry recipe handed down from my wife's much beloved Bohemian grandmother who took joy in watching her family eat. It seems like it isn't a real family get-together without kolaches and it also seems like there are never enough made. If you don't like prunes, any fruit filling will work very, very well.

Ingredients

 * ½ cup water
 * 1½ cups milk, scalded
 * 2 packages yeast
 * ½ cup sugar
 * ½ cup butter
 * 2 teaspoons salt
 * 4 egg yolks, beaten
 * 5 cups flour
 * 1 package prunes
 * sugar
 * cinnamon

Prune topping

 * 1) Cook prunes in water until soft.
 * 2) Beat until well mashed.
 * 3) Add sugar and cinnamon to taste.
 * 4) Set aside and allow to cool.

Kolaches

 * 1) Put yeast in ½ cup warm water with 1 tsp sugar.
 * 2) Scald 1½ cup milk.
 * 3) Add ½ cup sugar, ½ cup butter, and 2 tsp salt to scalded milk in large bowl beat in 2 cups flour.
 * 4) Add beaten egg yolks and remaining 3 cups flour.
 * 5) Put on flat surface and knead.
 * 6) Put in greased, large bowl and let rise until doubled in size.
 * 7) Make into large walnut-size balls and place on greased cookie sheet.
 * 8) Dip finger in melted butter and make a 'well' in top surface of the balls.
 * 9) Fill with prune filling and let set for approx 10 minutes.
 * 10) Bake in 375°F degree oven for approx 15 minutes.
 * 11) Remove from oven and brush bread surface with more butter.
 * 12) Optional: sprinkle top with coconut.