How to Freeze Kolaches
Kolaches have taken the world by storm in the past few years. These delicious Czech pastries make the perfect semi-sweet snack or breakfast option.
They’re so delicious that you’ll probably end up making or buying them in bulk.
It’s hard not to want to always have them on hand once you’ve tried them. So the question is, can you freeze your stash and eat them later?
Can you freeze Kolaches? Will you still have a delicious treat when all is said and done? Quite frankly, the answer is yes! Of course, a fresh Kolache will always taste the best, but since these are a pastry substance, you can freeze them and they freeze quite well.
When you’re making your Kolaches, be sure to savor a few, but make a large batch and set some aside. Plan to freeze a portion of what you make. But if you’re going to freeze them, you need all the details on how to successfully do so.
Keep reading for the best advice on how to freeze Kolaches.
Freezing the Perfect Kolache
The Kolache originated in Czech and Central Europe as a semisweet dessert that was primarily used for weddings. Since then, they have become the perfect breakfast pastry and spread like wildfire in popularity.
If you haven’t tried one yet, you are certainly missing out!
The Kolache begs to be devoured with its decadent pastry outside and a variety of fillings on the inside. The fillings are fresh and can be mixed and matched for various creations.
Many common fillings for Kolaches include dried or fresh fruits, various edible seeds, nuts, and farmer’s cheeses. These can be added in hundreds of different combinations.
Kolaches are most often in a circular pastry, but with their popularity, they have begun to evolve and now can be found in pockets, squares, pillows, and so much more.
Originally Kolaches did not include meats, but many types are now made with meat in them.
Kolaches are relatively easy to make, aside from the art of shaping them.
The fillings can get expensive quickly so if you’re going to put together a batch you want to make a bulk supply so you can save some away and pull them out when you need that sweet breakfast treat.
Or if you’re not much of a baker, you can certainly purchase some extras, and follow the same types of steps and freeze those as well!
The plus side to freezing Kolaches is you always have some on hand. You never know when you might need to pull something out for unexpected guests or when you simply have that urge for a snack, you have the perfect go-to option.
We’ve put together a list for you of the upsides and downsides to freezing Kolaches and what you can expect.
The Upsides to Freezing Kolaches
- You can make them ahead and have a treat ready to pull out when you need it.
- You can bundle them and use them as a gift – great for teachers or co-workers or someone you just want to do a little something extra for.
- You always have a convenient breakfast or sweet treat right at your fingertips.
- You can make a bulk batch and not worry about waste.
- They freeze very well with little effect on the delicious flavor.
- You can reheat them in the oven or the microwave.
The Downsides to Freezing Kolaches
- You can’t eat them all at once. You have to save some for the freezer.
- You might have to share when others discover your frozen secrets.
- After freezing, they taste best if you allow them to thaw overnight and then reheat.
- If you don’t take the time to let them thaw properly, the dough may seem a bit too soft.
- Every baked good tastes the best when they are fresh, but freezing them is still a valid option.
Now that you know what you can expect if you choose to freeze your Kolaches, you are most likely considering the best way to freeze them so that they will maintain their flavor and shape.
We’ve put together this handy guide to coach you through freezing Kolaches and how you can best defrost and enjoy them when you pull them out of the freezer.
Your Detailed Guide to Freezing Kolache
There are multiple methods for freezing Kolache – from simple freezing to precise freezing for the best overall results.
There is nothing magical about the freezing process, but if you want to maintain your shape and flavor, you should take the time to freeze them right.
Because of the shape and filling, it is best to treat your Kolaches with respect so you don’t have to worry about them sticking together or losing parts of their filling.
Remember that it could take some thawing time when you are ready to use them.
The key to delicious Kolaches after freezing is to let them properly thaw and then reheat them.
How to Freeze Kolaches
Freezing Kolaches is really quite simple, but handle them with care to avoid them falling apart or having the filling stick to other Kolaches.
You want them to still maintain their shape and deliciousness when you pull them back out. You will appreciate taking the time to freeze them nicely.
- You CAN just toss them in a Ziploc-type bag like these, but we don’t recommend this as they can easily stick together or fall apart.
- Find a container that seals well and allows plenty of room without taking up your whole freezer. A 3- to 4-inch deep plastic dish will work nicely.
- Start by layering the bottom of the dish with the Kolaches. Place as many as you can in a flat layer.
- Cover the layer with parchment paper or something sturdy. There are plastic dishes with tray designs that are perfect for freezing items like this if you choose to invest in them.
- Stack another layer, but try not to stack them directly on top of each other to avoid smearing the fruit mixture in the center.
- Label your container with a date for reference purposes.
- Place in the freezer to enjoy later.
- As an alternative, you could individually wrap or package each Kolache with plastic wrap and then store them together in a freezer bag. This takes much more time and a considerable amount of plastic as well.
Defrosting and Serving Kolaches
There is a bit of an art to reheating your Kolaches after you have frozen them.
You don’t want to just pop them straight from the freezer to the microwave if you want to maintain the flavor and texture. You CAN do so, but it’s not the recommendation.
- Remove Kolaches from the freezer and place on a shelf in the fridge.
- Allow Kolaches to thaw in the fridge for overnight or about 8 hours.
- Warm the Kolaches in the oven just long enough to get them warm.
- You can warm the Kolaches in the microwave after the thawing is complete.
- Serve and enjoy!
The best flavor and consistency of frozen Kolaches come when you let them thaw for the recommended amount of time.
This helps them not to get squishy and maintains the overall deliciousness that Kolaches have in store for you!
Related Questions
We hope this guide has been helpful to you in educating you on the best way to freeze Kolaches and we hope you feel confident in your ability to do so and still enjoy the perfect Kolaches.
Below we will share some questions and answers you may have had while reading this article.
What if I Don’t Thaw My Kolaches?
If you need something quick and simply don’t have time to wait for your Kolaches to thaw, they are still a great option after freezing.
The optimal way to serve them is after thawing and reheating, but they still taste amazing even if you have to reheat them directly from your freezer.
Is There a Time Limit on How Long I Can Freeze My Kolaches?
As with most frozen goods, it is recommended that you use your frozen Kolaches within about 6 months time. They will not go bad if stored properly in the freezer, but storing them too long could lead to freezer burn.
What Are the Best Fillings for Kolaches?
You can keep your Kolaches traditional with a berry, apricot, or cream cheese mixture in the center or you can personalize them to your liking.
A very popular form of Kolache that many donut or pastry shops now sell has sausage and cheese and these are just as delicious, albeit not the traditional Kolache.
I’ll be making kolaches for the first time and appreciated your detailed information (freezing, reheating, fillings, etc). Thank you!