These sweet buns are one of the most favorite Czech desserts. Traditionally, the buns are filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture, a sweet poppy seed mixture, or plum jam. But do not worry, if you do not have any of them, you can also fill them with any jam you want (e.g. rose hip, strawberry, etc.). These buns with beautiful golden crust on top are not difficult to make. They are so light, fluffy and deliciously sweet and just the smell of them backing conjures up the atmosphere of a harmonious home.

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbs granulated sugar
1 whole egg and one extra egg yolk
1 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 package (2 1/4 tsp) instant dry yeast
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
a pinch of salt
2 cups jam

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix the flour, lemon zest and salt. Next in another bowl, whisk together the egg, extra egg yolk, oil and vanilla extract. Heat the milk to lukewarm in separated cup, and add the instant dry yeast to it. Cover and let sit for about five minutes, until its frothy. Set aside.

Slowly begin adding the yeast mixture and the egg mixture to the flour, and mix until a soft dough begins to form (if the dough is too wet, add more flour). Then, knead for five minutes using the dough hook attachment on your mixer. You want the dough to be silky smooth and springy to the touch. Wash and dry the mixing bowl, then coat it lightly with oil. Put the dough into the bowl and cover with cling-film or a moistened tea-towel. Let rise at room temperature until doubled, which will take about 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the room temperature.

Preheat the oven to 375 F and butter a large oven proof dish.

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Quarter the dough, then divide each quarter into 8 equal parts. Take one part of the dough and flatten it into an oval shape. Put 1 Tbs of jam in the middle and pinch the dough together to seal in the filling. Brush each bun with melted butter on all sides and put in the baking dish, seam-side down. Continue until you have used up all dough, putting the buns side by side in the pan. Let the filled buns rise for about 20 minutes.

Bake until golden brown about 20 – 30 minutes, depending on your oven. While they are still hot, you can brush them with a little bit of milk just to make them super soft. Let cool slightly and dust with powdered sugar before serving!