{{Short description|Small, usually sweet, type of pastry}} {{About|a Czech and Slovak sweet pastry|the general Slavonic sweet bread|Kolach (bread)|other uses|Kolach (disambiguation)}} {{DISPLAYTITLE:''Kolach'' (cake)}} {{Multiple issues| {{More citations needed|date=January 2025}} {{Expand German|topic=cult}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox food | name = Koláč | image = Makovy frgal.jpg | caption = Larger koláč, called "frgál", typical of the Moravian Wallachia area | image_alt = round pastry with prominent crust and what appears to be fruit jam filling with crumbled cheese on top and a possible sprinkling of cinnamon or brown sugar | alternate_name = | country = Czech Republic and Slovakia | region = Central Europe | creator = | course = | type = Sweet bread | served = | main_ingredient = | variations = | calories = | other = | no_commons = true }} thumb|Koláč preparation in bakery thumb|Making kolaches
A '''''kolach''''',{{refn|{{Dictionary.com|access-date=22 January 2016|kolacky}}}} from the Czech and Slovak '''koláč''' (plural '''koláče''', diminutive '''koláčky''', meaning "cake/pie"), is a type of sweet pastry that holds a portion of fruit surrounded by puffy yeast dough. Common filling flavors include ''tvaroh'', fruit jam, poppy seeds, or ''povidla'' (prune jam). In the United States, the word ''kolache'' is sometimes used as the singular rather than as the plural, and the letter "s" is often added to the end of the word kolache to form "kolaches", which is a double plural.
==Background== Originating as a semisweet pastry from Central Europe, kolache have become popular in parts of the United States.<ref name="npr112016">{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Wynne |date=28 November 2016 |title=The Czech Pastry That Took Texas by Storm, and Keeps Gaining Strength |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/11/28/502088150/the-czech-pastry-that-took-texas-by-storm-and-keeps-gaining-strength |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417194312/https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/11/28/502088150/the-czech-pastry-that-took-texas-by-storm-and-keeps-gaining-strength |archive-date=17 April 2019 |access-date=17 April 2019 |website=NPR.org}}</ref> The name originates from Bohemian, originally Old Slavonic word {{Lang|cu|kolo}}, meaning "circle" or "wheel".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swathi |date=7 April 2017 |title=Kolache |url=https://zestysouthindiankitchen.com/kolache/ |access-date=23 June 2024 |website=Zesty South Indian Kitchen}}</ref>
Traditional Czech ''koláče'' are used in villages during feasts as a treat or at important events, such as weddings. They are usually small, with a diameter of no more than {{cvt|8|cm|in}} and with only one type of filling, sprinkled with sweet crumbs or sugar.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}
thumb|Koláčky
==Variants== ===Europe===
In Moravia, large ''koláče'' are popular. In some areas, they have regional names: for example, in Wallachia, they bake so-called ''frgály'', approximately {{cvt|25|cm|in}} in diameter. These are made of yeast dough and are most often filled with jam from apples, pears, or plums.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moravian Wallachia |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/moravianwallachia/ |website=Flickr.com}}</ref> In southern and western Bohemia (especially in the Chod region), ''koláče'' are also large in diameter and decorated with contrasting ornaments, most often made of ''povidla'', poppy seeds, and cottage cheese. They are usually round in shape.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schon |first=Katie |title=Czech Kolaches |url=https://catvusa.com/traditions/czech-kolaches |website=CATVusa.com |date=30 December 2021 }}</ref>
thumb|alt=Photo of New York-style strawberry kolach.|New York-style strawberry kolach
===North America=== In some parts of the US, especially in Texas, ''klobásník'' (or ''klobasnek''), which contains sausage or other meat, is also called kolach, because the same kind of dough is used.<ref name=Johnston>{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Abby |date=24 August 2018 |title=If It's Not Sweet, It's Not a Kolache—It's a Klobasnek |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/not-sweet-not-kolache-klobasnek/ |access-date=16 April 2023 |website=Texas Monthly |archive-date=8 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408224652/https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/not-sweet-not-kolache-klobasnek/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This pastry is more closely related to a pig in a blanket, however.<ref name="prod.gourment.com">{{cite web|url=http://prod.gourmet.com/magazine/2000s/2009/03/roadfood-czech-kolaches-in-texas|title=Czech, Please: 2000s Archive: gourmet.com|date=1 August 2011|publisher=Prod.gourmet.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317012310/http://prod.gourmet.com/magazine/2000s/2009/03/roadfood-czech-kolaches-in-texas|archive-date=17 March 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=20 February 2012}}</ref> In contrast, a Czech ''koláč'' is always sweet.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 February 2015 |title=Jak šly české koláče do světa. Američané 'kolaches' milují |url=https://www.lidovky.cz/relax/dobra-chut/jak-sly-ceske-kolace-do-sveta-americane-kolaches-miluji.A150202_120556_dobra-chut_ape |access-date=3 June 2023 |publisher=Lidovky.cz |archive-date=8 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208192307/https://www.lidovky.cz/relax/dobra-chut/jak-sly-ceske-kolace-do-sveta-americane-kolaches-miluji.A150202_120556_dobra-chut_ape |url-status=live }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2022}} Unlike kolache, which came to the United States with Czech immigrants, ''klobásníky'' were first made by Czechs who had settled in Texas.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Siegel|first=Jeff|title=The Kolach Trail|journal=Texas Co-op Power|date=January 2014|page=11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Limón |first=Elvia |date=25 July 2019 |title=Is Texas the only state with kolaches, or do other states also have them? Curious Texas investigates |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/curious-texas/2019/07/25/is-texas-the-only-state-with-kolaches-or-do-other-states-also-have-them-curious-texas-investigates/ |access-date=16 April 2023 |website=Dallas News |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416163403/https://www.dallasnews.com/news/curious-texas/2019/07/25/is-texas-the-only-state-with-kolaches-or-do-other-states-also-have-them-curious-texas-investigates/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In Texas, kolaches are often known among people not of Czech origin as "sweet kolaches" or "fruit kolaches", while klobasneks are called kolaches.<ref name=Johnston/>
Kolache are often associated with small towns in the midwestern United States, where they were introduced by Czech immigrants. They are served at church suppers and on holidays but also as an everyday comfort food. Recipes are usually passed down, with some including spices like mace or nutmeg. They can be filled with a combination of prune, apricot, cream cheese, poppy seed, or assorted other fillings.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Stern |first1=Jane |last2=Stern |first2=Michael |year=2005 |title=Roadfood: The Coast to Coast Guide to 500 of the Best Barbeque Joints, Lobster Shacks, Ice Cream Parlors, Highway Diners and Much, Much More |publisher=Broadway Books |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r1R8f1A5tgoC&pg=PA503 |isbn=9780767922647 |access-date=19 August 2019 |archive-date=16 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816143915/https://books.google.com/books?id=r1R8f1A5tgoC&pg=PA503 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In Minnesota, kolache are often folded dough pastries with a jam, cottage cheese, or poppy seed filling.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Post |first=Cathy Barrow {{!}} Washington |date=21 March 2018 |title=Beloved in Minnesota, Wisconsin – and even Texas, kolaches can be made at home |url=https://www.twincities.com/2018/03/21/beloved-in-minnesota-and-wisconsin-and-even-texas-kolaches-can-be-made-at-home/ |access-date=7 March 2025 |website=Twin Cities |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
==Holidays and festivals== {{more citations needed section|date=December 2022}}
Bujanov, in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, holds annual ''koláč'' celebrations ({{lang|cs|Koláčové slavnosti}}) and a ''koláč'' marathon ({{Lang|cs|Koláčový běh}}).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Obec Bujanov |url=https://www.bujanov.cz/ |access-date=4 February 2021 |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121153054/https://www.bujanov.cz/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
Several US cities hold annual ''koláč'' festival celebrations: {{div col}} * Tabor, South Dakota * Verdigre, Nebraska * Wilber, Nebraska * Prague, Nebraska * Caldwell, Texas<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theeagle.com/local/Rain-and-kolaches--Czech|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915185942/http://www.theeagle.com/local/Rain-and-kolaches--Czech|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 September 2009|title=Michele Casady, "Rain and kolaches? Czech"|publisher=Bryan-College Station Eagle, 13 September 2009|access-date=24 October 2009}}</ref> * New Prague, Minnesota * East Bernard, Texas * Crosby, Texas * Hallettsville, Texas * Prague, Oklahoma * St. Ludmila's Catholic church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa * Kewaunee, Wisconsin<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 February 1999 |title=Czech & Kolache Festival : Agricultural Heritage & Resources |url=http://agriculturalheritage.org/?page_id=336 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829024313/http://agriculturalheritage.org/?page_id=336 |archive-date=29 August 2011 |access-date=28 December 2019 |publisher=Agriculturalheritage.org}}</ref> {{div col end}}
Both Verdigre, Nebraska, and Montgomery, Minnesota, claim to be the "kolache capital of the world".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://ci.verdigre.ne.us/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905054937/http://ci.verdigre.ne.us/ | archive-date=5 September 2010 | title=Village of Verdigre | access-date=16 March 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=21281 |title=Montgomery, Minnesota City Information |location=US-MN |publisher=ePodunk |access-date=20 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205090934/http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=21281 |archive-date=5 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Prague, Nebraska, claims to be known as the home of the world's largest ''koláč''. Both Caldwell, Texas, and West, Texas, claim the title of "Kolache Capital" of the state,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ref/abouttx/capitals.html |title=Official Capital Designations | TSLAC |publisher=Tsl.state.tx.us |date=26 July 2019 |access-date=28 December 2019 |archive-date=23 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023232950/https://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ref/abouttx/capitals.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and kolache are popular in Central and Eastern Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.saveur.com/kolache-pastry-texas|title=Kolache Are the Texas Breakfast Staple Worth a Trip to the Lone Star State|last=Dao |first=Dan Q.|website=SAVEUR|date=18 March 2019|access-date=17 April 2019|archive-date=23 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623004953/https://www.saveur.com/kolache-pastry-texas/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://abc13.com/2252285/|title=Where to find the best kolaches in Texas|date=16 August 2018|website=ABC13 Houston|access-date=17 April 2019|archive-date=17 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417194315/https://abc13.com/2252285/|url-status=live}}</ref> Various Texas-based food establishments have added sweet and savory kolaches to their menus.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Naylor |first=June |title=Comfort Food: Kolaches |url=https://texashighways.com/food-drink/comfort-food-best-kolaches-in-texas-top-40/ |website=Texas Highways |date=16 October 2015 }}</ref> They are part of the "Texas Czech Belt", which grew in the 1880s and is full of ''koláč'' bakeries.<ref name="npr112016" />
==See also== * Danish pastry, a laminated sweet pastry * Koloocheh, Iranian pastry * Vatrushka, East Slavic pastry
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Portal|Czech Republic|Texas|Nebraska|Food}} * {{wiktionary-inline}} * {{Commons category-inline}} * {{Wikisource-inline|Old_Czech_Recipes_For_Today's_Kitchens/Recipes#Kolache|Kolache}} * [https://video.pbswisconsin.org/video/wisconsin-life-kolache/ Kolach] video produced by Wisconsin Public Television
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Category:Pastries with poppy seeds Category:Czech-American cuisine Category:Czech pastries Category:Cuisine of Minnesota Category:Texan cuisine Category:Sweet breads Category:Yeast breads Category:Foods with jam