Step 1

Make filling of your choice, cool.

Step 2

In large bowl, pour milk over salt, sugar, and shortening. Cool to lukewarm.

Step 3

Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water.

Step 4

Add egg to lukewarm milk mixture. Add yeast/water mixture. Add about half the flour. Beat well. Add remainder of flour. Beat well. Turn out onto floured board and knead about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Place in greased bowl and let rise until doubled in bulk - 1-1/2 to 2 hours approx.

Step 6

Divide dough into 2 portions.  Flatten/roll out one piece to about 1/2-inch thickness. Place desired filling in center.  Draw up outside edges of dough to encase filling and pinch together to cover filling. The end result should look similar to a pouch.

Step 7

Roll this "pouch" out gently to about 3/4 inch thick. Filling should remain inside dough. Think of a disk with the filling completely contained inside. Follow the same method for remaining half of the dough.

Step 8

Place each disk on a greased cookie sheet.  Let rise about 1-½ hours.

Step 9

Bake at 375 F degrees about 20 to 30 minutes.

Step 10

When done, serve warm slathered with butter or sour cream. May also be brushed with heavy cream and sprinkled with sugar.