Bohemian Kolache

A kolache is a type of sweet pastry that holds a portion of fruit surrounded by puffy dough.

1 cup milk, scalded	1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar	1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel	1/2 tsp. mace
1 packet active dry yeast	1/2 cup warm water
2 eggs, beaten	3 cups flour
1 cup dried apricots stirred in a cup of sugar.

Combine scalded milk, butter, sugar, salt, lemon rind, and mace in a large bowl. 
Let cool to lukewarm.
Soften yeast in a small bowl with 1/4 cup warm water.
Add 1 additional tsp. of sugar and enough flour to make a soft sponge.

Let rise.
Add to lukewarm milk mixture.
Add part of the flour and beat.
Add eggs and beat.
Add remaining flour and...you guessed it!...beat.
Cover.
Let rise until dough doubles in size, about 2 hours.
Beat it! Just beat it! No one wants to be defeated!
Let rise again until doubled once more, about and hour.

Roll out dough on floured pastry cloth about 1/2" thick.
Cut into 1-1/2" circles.
Place on a buttered backing sheet.
Brush with additional butter.
Cover and let rise until doubled again.

Make a depression in each round and fill with some of the apricot mixture. 

Let rise until doubled AGAIN!

Bake at 400° to 425° for 15 minutes.

Makes 2 dozen