When you think of Texas, you might picture brisket, bluebonnets, rolling hills or wide-open sky. But tucked into the folds of small towns and backroads, another Texas tradition quietly thrives: the kolache.

These soft, sweet pastries, a legacy of Czech immigrants who settled here in the 1800s, are as much a part of Texas heritage as cowboy boots and cattle drives. And the best way to understand them? A road trip taste test through the heart of kolache country.

How the Kolache Came to Texas

Czech immigrants arrived in Central Texas in the mid-19th century, bringing with them their language, customs, music, and recipes. Kolaches, with their pillowy dough and fruit or cheese fillings, were a staple at family gatherings, weddings, and festivals. Over time, these pastries found a permanent home in Texas kitchens, bakeries, and community fundraisers.

Today, you’ll find kolaches all over the state but to taste them the right way, head for the backroads within the Colorado River watershed where the tradition remains closest to its roots.

The Texas Kolache Trail: Stops You Can’t Miss

Here’s a route that honors old family recipes, small-town pride, and the slow art of baking done right.

Orsak’s Cafe – Fayetteville, Texas

This sleepy town near La Grange has a gem in Orsak’s Café, an old-school diner with kolaches baked fresh and coffee served strong.

Hruska’s Bakery – Ellinger, TX

Right off Highway 71, Hruska’s has been baking kolaches since 1962. It’s a must-stop for travelers heading through Ellinger, the apricot and cream cheese varieties are local favorites.

Weikel’s Bakery – La Grange, TX

Known for their dedication to traditional Czech baking, Weikel’s serves up buttery, fruit-filled kolaches that are worth the detour. Try the poppyseed or cherry for a true Texas Czech experience.

Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches – Austin, TX

A modern twist on a classic: Batch pairs locally brewed beer with small-batch kolaches. Expect creative flavors like peanut better and jelly, served up with a pint in Austin’s east side.

B-Jo’s Czech Bakery – El Campo, TX

A small-town gem where every kolache tastes like it came straight from grandma’s kitchen. B-Jo’s is known for their generous fillings and old-school flavors like prune, peach, and poppyseed.

Don’t Miss: The Kolache Festival in Caldwell, Texas

Each September, the small town of Caldwell—officially recognized as the ‘Kolache Capital of Texas’ hosts its beloved Kolache Festival. Held on the second Saturday of the month, the event brings together everything that defines Texas Czech culture: homemade kolaches, beseda dancers in traditional dress, live polka bands, arts and crafts booths, a classic car show, quilt exhibitions, and more.

More Than a Pastry — A Piece of Home

True kolache culture isn’t about Instagram-perfect pastries. It’s about lineage. It’s about waking up before sunrise to make enough for your whole town. It’s about sharing something simple and good because it connects you back to where you started.

So gas up the truck, leave the highway behind, and take the slow roads through the heart of Texas Czech country. A good kolache is waiting, and a great story comes with every bite.

Bonus Tip: Kolache vs. Klobasnek: If it’s stuffed with sausage and cheese, it’s technically a klobasnek not a kolache. But in Texas? We’ll call it a kolache anyway. Just eat it warm.

Kolache Road Trip: Tracing the Sweet, Buttery Roots of Texas

Hope Boatright