Elsie Hronek's Kolaches

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a medium baking dish with a portion of the butter.

Crumble the cornbread into a large mixing bowl, breaking it into rough, uneven pieces to create varied texture throughout the stuffing.

Melt the remaining butter in a small saucepan over low heat, then pour it over the crumbled cornbread and toss gently to coat.

Add the dried apples, chopped walnuts, and thinly sliced fresh sage to the cornbread mixture, stirring to distribute evenly.

Warm the apple jelly in a small saucepan over low heat until it becomes fluid and easily pourable, then drizzle it over the cornbread mixture and fold gently to incorporate.

Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting as needed to balance the sweet and savory elements.

Beat the egg yolks in a separate small bowl until smooth, then pour them over the stuffing mixture and fold thoroughly until the egg yolks are fully incorporated and the mixture begins to hold together.

Transfer the stuffing mixture into the prepared baking dish, pressing it gently into an even layer without compacting it too firmly.

Bake the stuffing in the preheated oven until the top is golden brown and the interior is set and cooked through, testing with a skewer for doneness.

Remove the stuffing from the oven and allow it to rest briefly before serving, which allows the egg-bound interior to firm up and makes slicing or portioning easier.