What is a Kolache?
Kolaches are a Czech pastry consisting of a light sweet dough filled with fruit that immigrants introduced to Texas when they settled here in the 1850’s. The word kolache comes from kolae, which is the Czech word for, “cake.” While traditional kolaches are filled with fruit and jam, the Texan style pastry includes savory, meat-filled versions, too.
Where is the Kolache Capital of Texas?
You wouldn’t think a pastry could inspire a controversy, but that’s exactly what happened with Kolaches here in Texas. While it hasn’t yet come to fisitcuffs, the towns of Caldwell and West both claim to be the Kolache capital of Texas.
As proof, Caldwell throws a big Caldwell Kolache Festival every September.
West, on the other hand, took the legal route by going through the state legislature and having itself officially appoihnted the Home of the Official Texas State Kolache.
Which side am I on in this debate?
In my opinion, when it comes to pastries, the more the merrier. So I was happy to learn that there are other kolache festivals in Texas, including:
Kolache Festival in Bernhard, Texas
Hallettsville, Texas Kolache Festival
Regional Baked Goods
I recently tried kolaches for the first time, y’know, for research purposes! ;p What sorts of baked goods do they eat where you live? Have you fallen in love with another country’s pastries?
More A to Z blog posts
This was my post for the letter J of the A to Z blogging challenge. Tune in tomorrow to see what quirky Texan thing the letter K will bring!
In the meantime, click on this link to find out what other A to Z blogging challenge folks are writing about.
Tui Snider is an author, speaker, and photographer who specializes in North Texas travel, cemetery symbols, and haunted lore. As she puts it, “I used to write fiction – but then, I moved to Texas!”
Snider’s best-selling books include Paranormal Texas , Understanding Cemetery Symbols, and 100 Things to Do in Dallas - Fort Worth Before You Die.
Snider has several more books in progress, and enjoys connecting with writers and readers all over the globe through social media, her newsletter and her website: TuiSnider.com.
Oh my, my tummy is looking for Kolache, now let me have some! And, now I know that the Czeck word for cake is Kolae, thank you for this information and thanks for making me starve now :)
Hi Adelle,
So, you’re a kolache fan, I take it? Hope there’s a good bakery nearby for you!
~Tui
In the Lehigh Valley near Bethlehem, PA, there is a Eastern European pastry called Kiffles, made with a cream cheese dough and wrapped around fillings like apricot, walnut, and raspberry.
Hi Margaret,
Kiffles, eh? What a cute name! They sound really yummy.
Thanks for stopping by!
~Tui
YUMMMMM. I love these bits of awesomeness and now my stomach is growling and I want to drive to Rick’s Bakery in Fayetteville, AR and grab a giant box of these. Here in Arkansas, they look more like a pig-in-a-blanket and may not even be true Kolaches but that what we call them and they are scrumptious. I’m going to have to plan a trip to one of these festivals.
Hi Julie,
I may just have to sample a few more Kolaches from different parts of the south, y’know, for research purposes, of course!
Thank you for visiting!
~Tui
Kalacs! :) Fank. We have that pastry in Hungary too :)
Hi Tarkabarka,
Wow – I didn’t realize how many variations there were on this pastry theme!
Thanks for dropping by!
~Tui
They look delicious.
Rosalind Adam is Writing in the Rain
Hi Rosalind,
They really were. We ate them all immediately! :)
~Tui
I wish wish wish kolaches were on the wedding diet plan. My favorite are plain sausage or jalapeño and sausage. You’re really tearing up all the important things about Texas with the challenge…I love it. Also I’m hungry! :)
Hi Charlie,
I know what you mean! Kolaches aren’t really on my diet plan, but I had to research the post, y’know? I even went out and had a chicken fried steak a couple days ago because I felt bad for not really knowing what I was writing about.
I’m having so much fun writing about all the little tidbits of Texas. It really is the same to me as living in another country. There’s so much history and culture to explore.
Thanks for commenting!
~Tui
Weikel’s Bakery in La Grange makes some of the best kolaches around. When we lived in NYC, I fell in love with Italian pastries. They are still near and dear to my heart. I also have a fondness for Tres Leches cake :)
Hi Carol,
Y’know, I have not tried Tres Leches cake. Oh, my… You’ve sent me on another quest – thank you! :)
~Tui
I am laughing over here. I feel I am learning more about Texas than my own hometown! I don’t know what “regional pastry” we eat. I think I can’t see the forest for the trees! I am definitely curious about what a kolache tastes like, though. I wonder if they’ll taste as good if they are made gluten-free (or if anyone has bothered!).
Hi Nicole,
A gluten free Kolache recipe – that’s a great idea!
Yeah, it would probably be harder for me to notice all the nifty things about Texas if I had grown up here.
As far as a regional pastry for you… bagels, perhaps?
Thanks for visiting!
~Tui
Bagels! Of course! I also saw another commenter mention Italian pastries. I can’t imagine a world without Italian bakeries, but I guess, outside of New York, that might be the sad reality :(
Hi Nicole,
Unless, of course, you go to Italy, itself!
One thing I love about visiting my in-laws on Long Island is seeing the tremendous southern Italian influence in the bakeries and grocery stores. I’m always wishing I could beam their local grocery store down here to Texas.
~Tui
Without those influences, I would have a really hard time putting dinner on the table XD
Another great post Tui! Complimenti!
Thank you, Sonia!
I’m having so much fun researching all these Texas tidbits. I’ve got some good ones lined up!
Thank you for visiting. :)
~Tui
I’m hungry right now so that looks really yummy.
Hi Patricia,
Yeah – I’m kinda bummed now. The kolaches are all gone!
Thanks for dropping by!
~Tui