Kolach Recipe

Dough:
2 (¼-ounce) packages active dry yeast
2 cups warm (105F to 115F) water, divided
1 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
6 to 7 cups all-purpose flour, divided

Filling:
1 pound walnuts, ground
1½ to 2 cups sugar
1½ to 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg

Assembly:
1½ cups (3 sticks) melted butter, divided

1. To prepare the dough, dissolve yeast in 1 cup water in a small bowl. Combine remaining water and shortening in a saucepan; heat slightly to dissolve and cool. Mix sugar, salt, eggs, yeast mixture and shortening mixture in a large bowl. Add 6 cups flour, 2 cups at a time. Knead on a floured surface until smooth, adding another ½ to 1 cup flour if needed. Cover and let rise until doubled, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
2. To prepare the filling, combine walnuts, sugar and nutmeg in a medium bowl; mix well.
3. To assemble, separate dough into 5 pieces. On a floured surface, roll each piece into a 10-by-15-inch rectangle. Brush each with 1⁄4 cup butter and sprinkle 1½ cups filling on top. Roll up to form a 15-inch roll. Repeat with remaining dough. Place on baking sheets 2 inches apart. Cover and let rise 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350F. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until golden. Brush lightly with remaining butter, if desired. Place on wire racks to cool before slicing each roll into 15 pieces. Yield: 75 slices.