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

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

Directions

 * ---ToPrepare Prune Topping---.
 * Cook prunes in water until soft.
 * Beat until well mashaed.
 * Add sugar and cinnamon to taste.
 * Set aside and allow to cool.
 * ---Kolaches---.
 * Put yeast in 1/2 cup warm water with 1 tsp sugar.
 * Scald 1 1/2 cup milk.
 * Add 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup butter, and 2 tsp salt to scalded milk in large bowl Beat in 2 cups flour.
 * Add beaten egg yolks and remaining 3 cups flour.
 * Put on flat surface and knead.
 * Put in greased, large bowl and let rise until doubled in size.
 * Make into large walnut-size balls and place on greased cookie sheet.
 * Dip finger in melted buter and make a'well' in top surface of the balls.
 * Fill with prune filling and let set for approx 10 minutes.
 * Bake in 375 degree oven for approx 15 minutes.
 * Remove from oven and brush bread surface with more butter.
 * Optional: Sprinkle top with coconut.