Activate the Yeast

1. In a small bowl, sprinkle the yeast over warm water and stir to combine. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
2. In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter (about 1 minute on HIGH). Stir to combine.
3. Whisk in the lukewarm whole milk and yeast mixture.

Make the Dough

1. Transfer the yeast mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
2. Sift in 3 cups of bread flour, then add evaporated milk, sugar, salt, eggs, and egg yolk.
3. Beat on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
4. Switch to the dough hook attachment and gradually add the remaining 3 cups of flour.
5. Beat on medium speed until the dough is smooth, about 2 minutes.
6. Let the dough rest at room temperature for 5 minutes, then continue kneading on medium-high speed until elastic and very smooth, about 10 minutes. The dough will be very soft and slightly sticky.

First and Second Rise

1. Brush the top of the dough with 1 tablespoon of melted butter.
2. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
3. Punch the dough down, re-cover, and let rise again until doubled, about 30 minutes.

Shape the Dough

1. Lightly flour a work surface and roll the dough into an 18x14-inch rectangle, about 1 inch thick.
2. Use a 2-inch round cutter to cut circles from the dough. Place them 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
3. Brush the tops with 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
4. Let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 20 minutes.

Fill and Assemble the Kolaches

1. Using your fingers and the palm of your hand, flatten each dough circle to about twice its original size.
2. Place a sausage in the center of each piece of dough. Flatten the dough slightly more if needed.
3. Bring the sides of the dough around the sausage and pinch them together in the center to form a seam. The top should have more dough coverage than the bottom.
4. Pull and stretch the top and bottom edges of the dough around the sausage, pinching to seal at the center seam.
5. Place the filled kolaches seam-side down on a lightly greased baking sheet, spacing them 1–2 inches apart.
6. Brush liberally with melted butter, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes.

Bake the Kolaches

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the sausage is heated through.
3. Remove from the oven and brush with additional melted butter.
4. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

For Sausage, Jalapeño, and Cheese Kolaches

1. Place 1 thick strip of American cheese, 3 slices of pickled jalapeño, and half a sausage link in the center of the dough before sealing and shaping. Place 1 slice of pickled jalapeño on top of the shaped dough in the pan to see the difference between regular sausage kolaches and jalapeño.