In mixer bowl, place 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 4 1/2 tsp. yeast, and 1/2 cup powdered milk. Add 1 1/2 cups warm water with food color already mixed in the water. Beat hard with mixer; add eggs and beat hard. Add 2 tsp. salt and 2/3 cup softened butter. Gradually add a portion of the 3 cups flour until dough begins climbing beaters. Remove from mixer adding remaining flour using spoon to mix. Add more or less flour to make dough easy to handle. Dough must still be soft but not sticky. Turn dough on floured board. Knead 5 minutes, only adding enough flour to make smooth and spongy. Cover on board and let rest for 10 minutes. Knead again 5 minutes adding NO extra flour. Dough will be elastic and bubbly. Place in oiled bowl. Cover. Rise until doubled.

After dough has risen, turn out onto board. Cut pieces of dough into golf ball sized pieces or smaller. Make in buns. Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheet. Immediately make depressions with fingers, spreading dough apart to make a nest for filling. DO NOT FILL YET. Let kolache rise slightly (15 minutes). Remake depressions and place 1 Tbsp. of pie filling in depressed area. Let kolache rise until light (30 minutes). Bake 7 to 9 minutes in a 450 degree oven, until light golden brown. Brush with melted butter once removed from oven.