Texas-Style Sausage Kolaches (Klobasneks)

Recreate authentic Texas sausage kolaches also known as klobasneks right in your home kitchen. This easy breakfast recipe uses frozen dinner rolls as a quick shortcut to achieve that soft, fluffy, bakery-style sweet yeast dough. Simply wrap the dough around your favorite breakfast sausage links or cheddar smoked sausages, brush with egg wash, and bake until golden brown. Perfect for a quick grab-and-go morning meal, weekend brunch, or kid-friendly snacks, this traditional Texas donut shop favorite yields twelve warm, buttery sausage rolls.

Ingredients

• 12 Rhode’s Dinner Rolls (frozen)
• 12 Eckrich Smok-Y Original or Cheddar Breakfast Smoked Sausage Links
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 Tablespoons salted butter, melted
• Non-stick cooking spray

Instructions

1. Thaw and Rise

• Arrange 12 frozen dinner rolls on a greased baking sheet.
• Spray a sheet of plastic wrap with non-stick cooking spray and drape it loosely over the rolls to prevent sticking.
• Let rise according to the package instructions until thawed and puffy (usually takes 3–5 hours).

2. Assemble the Kolaches

• Roll each thawed dough ball into an oval shape, roughly 4–5 inches long.
• Place one smoked sausage link right in the center of the dough oval.
• Wrap the sides of the dough tightly over the sausage, pinching the seams firmly together to seal it completely.
• Place the assembled kolaches, seam-side down, back onto the greased baking sheet.

3. Second Rise

• Whisk together the egg and $frac{1}{4}$ cup of milk in a small bowl to create an egg wash.
• Brush the top of each assembled kolache generously with the egg wash.
• Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let them rise a second time for 20–30 minutes.

4. Bake and Serve

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) during the last few minutes of the second rise.
• Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the tops are beautifully golden brown.
• Finish by brushing the warm, freshly baked kolaches with the 2 tablespoons of melted salted butter for a glossy, flavorful crust. Serve warm!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Texas Bakery Authentic: It delivers that iconic, soft, sweet-and-savory Lone Star State bakery vibe right from your own kitchen.
• Minimal Effort: By utilizing frozen dinner rolls, you skip the tedious chore of making yeast dough from scratch while keeping that freshly-baked taste.
• Kid-Approved & Portable: They are completely self-contained, making them the ultimate grab-and-go breakfast for busy mornings or game-day tailgates.

Tips

• Pinch Like You Mean It: Make sure to pinch the dough seams together tightly. If they aren’t sealed well, the dough can unfurl in the oven, causing the sausage to pop out.
• The Warm Spot Trick: If your house is chilly, the first rise can take a long time. Place your baking sheet in a turned-off oven with the oven light turned on—the light bulb creates just enough ambient warmth.
• Don’t Skip the Butter: Brushing them with melted salted butter immediately after they hit the cooling rack keeps the crust incredibly soft and adds a bakery-style sheen.

Variations and Substitutions

• The Spice Kick: Swap the standard breakfast links for jalapeño cheddar smoked sausages, or slide a slice of fresh jalapeño inside the dough wrap.
• Cheese-Lover’s Dream: Wrap a small slice of American or sharp Cheddar cheese around the sausage before wrapping it in the dough.
• Sausage Alternatives: Can’t find breakfast links? Lil’ Smokies work great (you can put two inside one roll), or you can use high-quality Lil’ Bratwursts or sliced hot links.

FAQs

What is the difference between a Kolache and a Klobasnek?

Technically, traditional Czech kolaches are sweet pastries filled with fruit or cheese. When filled with meat, they are called klobasneks. However, in Texas, everyone universally calls both versions “kolaches”!

Can I make these ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can assemble them the night before, place them on the baking sheet, cover them tightly, and let them do their second rise overnight in the refrigerator. In the morning, let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes while your oven preheats, then bake.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the microwave for 15–20 seconds, or pop them into a 350°F oven/air fryer for 3–5 minutes to crisp up the crust.

Serving Suggestions

• The Texas Classic: Serve these alongside a hot cup of black coffee and a side of yellow mustard or spicy jalapeño jelly for dipping.
• Brunch Spread: Pair them with a fresh fruit salad and some crispy hash browns to round out a hearty weekend brunch.
• Tailgate Style: Serve them warm alongside a cooler of cold drinks, some tortilla chips, and fresh salsa.