Kolache (also spelled kolace, kolach, or kolacky, from the Czech and Slovak plural koláče, sg. koláč) is a type of pastry that holds a dollop of fruit rimmed by a puffy pillow of supple dough.[1] Originating as a semisweet wedding dessert from Central Europe, they have become popular in parts of the United States.
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Several cities, including Prague, Oklahoma, Caldwell, Texas,[2] East Bernard, Texas, and St. Ludmila's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, IA, hold annual Kolache Festival celebrations.
Montgomery, Minnesota, claims to be the "Kolacky capital of the world"[2] and holds an annual festival known as Kolacky Days. Verdigre, Nebraska, stakes the same claim with their Kolache Days.[3] Prague, Nebraska, claims to be known as the home of the world's largest kolache. West, Texas, claims the title of "Kolache Capital of Texas."
Still other communities in the United States hold Czech-American festivals, where kolaches may be found.
It was the sweet chosen to represent the Czech Republic in the Café Europe initiative of the Austrian presidency of the European Union, on Europe Day 2006.
In Texas, many restaurants and bakeries specialize in kolaches. In central Texas the kolache is particularly widespread among Czech Americans as well as their respective local communities, such as West [4] and Caldwell,[4] Many other communities known for kolaches such as Weimar and Schulenburg, Texas, have a considerable Czech ethnic population. Shipley's Donuts, a popular Texas donut chain, as well as other donut shops provide kolaches. [5]