Instructions

1. Making the dough

2. 1
   Combine the flour and salt in a separate bowl and set aside.
3. 2
   In your mixing bowl, add the water, yeast, and a bit of the sugar. Whisk until consistent and let sit until bloomed, about 5-10 minutes.
4. 3
   Add the sour cream, eggs, and the rest of the sugar and whisk until combined. Stream in the melted butter, whisking continuously to prevent the eggs from cooking and scrambling.
5. 4
   Put the mixing bowl in your mixer and beat at low speed with the dough hook attachment. Slowly add all of the flour until incorporated.
6. 5
   Increase the speed to medium-low and knead until the dough begins to pull together and become smooth and soft, about 5-6 minutes. (You can check to make sure the dough is the right texture by pressing a silicone spatula into the surface and seeing if the dough pulls away cleanly.)
7. 6
   Move dough into a spare greased bowl, then cover with greased plastic wrap.
8. 7
   Allow the dough to rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk about 1 hour. Alternatively, chill the dough in the fridge for 8-24 hours.

9. Making the egg wash

10. 8
    Scramble the egg, water, and salt together in a bowl.

11. Assembling and baking savory kolaches

12. 9
    Lightly oil your hands to prevent dough from sticking too much to you.
13. 10
    Take a ~2 inch ball of dough and flatten it out in your hand.
14. 11
    Place your fillings on the middle of the dough, then wrap the rest of the dough around the fillings so no fillings are visible and all seams are thoroughly sealed.
15. 12
    Place the assembled kolaches 1 - 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
16. 13
    Preheat the oven at 350°F / 175°C and allow assembled kolaches to rise for ~30 minutes in a warm place, then brush with egg wash.
17. 14
    Bake until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. Make sure to rotate halfway through, additionally swapping pan positions if baking on multiple racks.
18. 15
    Once out of the oven, brush with additional melted butter.

19. Making cheesecake filling

20. 16
    Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and beat on medium-high to high speed with a hand mixer until smooth.

21. Assembling and baking sweet kolaches

22. 17
    Lightly oil your hands to prevent dough from sticking too much to you.
23. 18
    Divide dough into ~2 inch balls and place 1 - 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
24. 19
    Preheat the oven at 350°F / 175°C and allow balls to rise for ~30 minutes in a warm place.
25. 20
    Once risen, use your thumb or a wooden spoon to create an indentation in each kolache, leaving about a half- to three-quarters inch crust all the way around.
26. 21
    Fill with your desired filling, then brush exposed dough with egg wash and top with granulated sugar.
27. 22
    Bake until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. Make sure to rotate halfway through, additionally swapping pan positions if baking on multiple racks.