Texas Sausage Kolaches

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons active dry yeast or instant yeast

• 1/2 cup warm water 105-115°F

• 1/2 cup butter softened

• 1/4 cup honey

• 3 eggs

• 1 cup milk or almond milk lukewarm

• 4 1/2-5 cups whole wheat flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 16 jumbo turkey hot dogs or beef, chicken, or pork hot dogs

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 10 slices cheddar cheese cut each slice into 4 slices; you should end up with 40 slices

• 1 egg

• 1 teaspoon water

Utensils:

• 2 small bowls

• stand mixer and paddle attachment and dough hook attachment

• plastic wrap

• large skillet

• tongs

• plate

• rolling pin

• 4 large baking sheets

• parchment paper

• basting brush

Instructions:

1. prepare ingredients

2. get a small bowl and add 2 tbsp of active dry yeast

3. pour 1/2 cup of warm water into the bowl and set aside

4. get a stand mixer and add 1/2 cup of softened butter

5. add 1/4 cup of honey to the bowl and cream together

6. add 3 eggs to the mixer and scrape down the sides as needed

7. add 1 cup of warm milk to the mixer

8. add the yeast mixture to the mixer

9. add 4 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour to the mixer

10. add 1 1/2 tsp of salt to the mixer

11. change the mixer to the dough hook and mix for 2-3 minutes only, just until no longer tacky; add a tbsp of flour at a time IF NEEDED, do not add too much flour

12. cover the bowl with some plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise for 1 hour

13. get a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tbsp of olive oil

14. add 14 hot dogs to the pan and brown on all sides then remove to a plate and allow them to cool completely

15. turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead a couple times

16. let the dough rest for 3 minutes

17. line 4 large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside

18. divide the dough into 20 equal pieces

19. work with one at a time and roll a piece of dough out into a rectangle shape that is the same length as the hot dog

20. place the sausage in the center of the rectangle

21. place 2 slices of cheese next to the hot dog and pinch the dough around the hot dog where the ends meet

22. place the kolache seam side down onto the prepared baking sheet

23. repeat this process with the remaining dough and hot dogs and place them on the baking sheets abut 1-inch apart from each other

24. lightly cover the kolaches with plastic wrap and allow them to rise for another 45-60 minutes until puffed

25. preheat the oven to 350°F

26. beat together 1 egg with 1 tsp of water and brush the tops of the kolaches with a light layer of the egg wash

27. place kolaches in the oven at 350°F for 20-23 minutes until golden

Allow them to cool slightly before serving.