German Kolaches

Ingredients:

• 2 pkg. yeast
• 1/4 c. warm water
• 1 Tblsp. sugar
• 2 c. milk
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. shortening + 1 Tbsp. butter
• 2 tsp. salt
• 2 egg yolks (3 or 4 may be used)
• 6 to 6 1/2 c. flour

Ingredients for Cream Cheese Filling:

• Cream cheese filling mix well together:
• 2 — 8 oz. packages of cream cheese
• 1 Tblsp. of vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1 c. sugar

Directions:

1. Mix the cream cheese filling ingredients together and set aside.
2. Heat milk, add shortening and butter to dissolve. Let cool to lukewarm. In a large bowl, mix yeast, water and 1 Tbsp. sugar. Let set.
3. Add salt, egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar to milk mixture and mix well. Add yeast mixture. Add flour a little at a time.
4. Work dough until glossy. Brush with margarine or butter. Cover and let rise until double (about 1 hour).
5. Cut off small pieces with a spoon and shape into round balls. The dough can also be rolled out like you would for biscuits and cut with a biscuit cutter.
6. Place rounds of dough on a greased baking sheet. Butter each well. Make an indentation with fingers in each round and fill with filling of your choice.
7. Bake at 425 degrees F. Brush with butter after baking. Cream Cheese Filling: Mix ingredients together well.