. Activate the Yeast:

In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.

Prepare the Dough:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the melted butter, yeast mixture, and eggs.

Mix until the dough comes together. If it's too sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it's manageable.

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it's smooth and elastic.

Let the Dough Rise:

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1-1.5 hours or until doubled in size.

Shape the Kolaches:

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into equal-sized portions, depending on how large you want your kolaches.

Roll each portion into a ball and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each one.

Flatten each ball slightly with your hand and make an indentation in the center for the filling.

Add the Filling:

Spoon your desired filling into the center of each dough round. You can use fruit preserves, poppy seed filling, sweetened cream cheese, cooked sausage, or any other filling of your choice.

Let Them Rise Again:

Cover the filled kolaches with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes.

Preheat the Oven:

While the kolaches are rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Bake the Kolaches:

Once the kolaches have risen again, bake them in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until they're golden brown.

Serve:

Remove the kolaches from the oven and let them cool slightly on a wire rack.

Optionally, dust them with powdered sugar before serving.

Enjoy your homemade kolaches warm or at room temperature!