Apricot Bow Ties Or Kolaches Recipes

Steps:

• Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough to just over a 13-inch square, a little over a 1/4-inch thick. Using a ruler and a pizza wheel or pastry cutter, trim the edges of the dough to form a 12-inch rectangle, then cut the dough into nine 4-inch squares.
• Place pastry cream in a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip (such as an Ateco #806). Pipe a dollop of cream into the center of each square. (Alternatively, scoop the filling with a tablespoon.) Arrange two apricot halves over the cream, overlapping them slightly, one in the upper left corner and the other in the lower right.
• To form the bow ties, fold the upper right corner over the apricot filling, about two-thirds of the way toward the opposite corner; press down firmly to seal. Bring the lower left corner up and over first fold, pressing down to adhere. (Be careful not to fold too tightly, or you may force out some of the filling.) Repeat with the remaining squares. Place the bow ties on the prepared baking sheets. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rest in a warm place until dough is doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Brush dough with the beaten egg; sprinkle with sugar. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until pastries are evenly browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve at room temperature. Bow ties are best eaten the same day they are made.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a saucepan, heat milk and 1 cup butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat until moistened. Add egg yolks; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on high for 3 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls; roll each into a 2-1/2-in. circle. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes., Using the end of a wooden spoon, make a 1-1/2-in. indentation in the center of each roll; fill with about 2 teaspoons apricot filling. Melt remaining butter; brush over dough., Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over warm rolls.

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, 1/4 cup sugar, vanilla bean and seeds, and salt. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a simmer.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, cornstarch, and remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Whisking constantly, slowly pour about 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture. Continue adding milk mixture 1/2 cup at a time, until it has been incorporated. Pour mixture back into saucepan, and cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens and registers 160 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, about 2 minutes. Remove and discard vanilla bean.
• Transfer to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter, and beat on medium speed until the butter melts and the mixture cools, about 5 minutes.
• Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the pastry cream to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours or up to 2 days. Just before using, beat on low speed until smooth (you can also whisk by hand).

Steps:

• Mix cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add flour slowly until well blended. Shape into a ball and chill overnight or for several hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
• Roll dough out 1/8 inch thick on a floured pastry board. Cut into 2 1/2 inch squares and place about 1/2 teaspoon jam or preserves in the center. Overlap opposite corners and pinch together. Place on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool on wire racks. Sprinkle kolacky lightly with confectioner's sugar.

Steps:

• Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough to a 17-by-13-inch rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Using a ruler and a pizza wheel or pastry cutter, trim the edges of the dough to form a 16-by-12-inch rectangle. Then cut the dough into twelve 4-inch squares.
• Place Pastry Cream in a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip (such as an Ateco #806). Pipe a dollop of cream into the center of each square. (Alternatively, scoop the filling with a tablespoon.) Arrange two apricot halves over the cream, overlapping them slightly, one in the upper left corner and the other in the lower right.
• To form the bow ties, fold the upper right corner over the apricot filling, about two-thirds of the way toward the opposite corner; press down firmly to seal. Bring the lower left corner up and over first fold, pressing down to adhere. (Be careful not to fold too tightly, or you may force out some of the filling.) Repeat with the remaining squares. Place the bow ties on the prepared baking sheets, six to a sheet. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rest in a warm place until dough is approximately doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F, with racks in the upper and lower thirds. Lightly brush bow ties with the beaten egg, and sprinkle with sugar. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until pastries are evenly browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve at room temperature. Bow ties are best eaten the same day they are made.
• Apricot Bow Tie how-to
• Two apricot halves are placed on top of a dollop of Pastry Cream, along the diagonal of the dough square.
• The top right corner of the square is folded over the filling and pressed down to seal.
• The opposite corner is folded over the first to create an open-ended roll.