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Posted by Aimee 39 comments
Published: Nov 30, 2018 Last Updated: Oct 23, 2023
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These Easy Traditional Kolachky Cookies Recipe for Christmashave a melt in your mouth cookie base and are topped with sweet preserves. Don’t forget the extra powdered sugar!
For more easy holiday treats, be sure to try this soft and chewy Cake Mix Cookie recipe! Or make a batch of Chocolate Dipped Oreos with festive sprinkles!
Why This Recipe is Best
OK, I know. You don’t need to tell me that these aren’t authentic because your Polish Nana makes these cookies and pinches them into the center over the jelly.
I get it. My mom usually does that too.
But know what happens when I try to fold them over and pinch the centers? After baking, I open the oven and they all look deformed and have opened up.
So now I started making them this way and I couldn’t be happier. They are easier and so much prettier!
I’m sure some of you have tricks up your sleeve for pinching these closed. Feel free to leave a comment below so others can learn!
For now, I will make mine open.
- We’re making our Kolachky Cookies BIG! I use a 2 1/2 inch cookie cutter and this allows me to add even more jelly, which makes me happy. If you prefer them smaller, feel free!
- Apricot Preserves are a traditional filling and so delicious! I’ve got other ideas for you below, as well.
- Making them open also means they are fuss-free and fool proof!
- These cookies are perfect for rounding out your holiday treats!
You can also try my Jam Thumbprint cookies for a similar melt in your mouth cookie topped with almond glaze.
Ingredient Notes
- Butter – We use unsalted butter in all of our recipes to control the amount of sodium. If you only have salted butter, that will work fine here, too.
- Cream Cheese –Full fat cream cheese will give you the best results for these cookies. Be sure to let itsoften at room temperaturefor a few minutes before starting.
- Flour –Regular all-purpose flour works great to create that melt-in-your-mouth texture we’re striving for. Make sure to use our guide onhow to measure flourproperly.
- Preserves – Apricot and strawberry preserves both work great for these cookies. You can use both or pick one. You can even substitute a different flavor if you want to change it up.
Easy Instructions
STEP 1. Make the cookie dough. Cream together the butter, cream cheese and sugar. Add baking powder and flour and beat until a soft dough forms.
STEP 2. Assemble cookies. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll to about ½ cm thickness. Cut with a2 ½ inch circle cookie cutter(or biscuit cutter) and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread about 1 Tablespoon of preserves into the center of each cookie.
STEP 3. Bake, cool and finish cookies. Bake the cookies at 350 degrees F for 15-18 minutes. Cool completely then sprinkle generously with powdered sugar.
Tips and Tricks
- Allow the butter and cream cheese tosoften at room temperaturebefore you start making the dough.
- When rolling out the cookies, any scraps can be smooshed back together and rolled out again to get more cookies, but you won’t want to repeat this process more than once, or else the cookies will become tough.
- Don’t overbake the cookies! They should come out of the oven BEFORE they start to brown.
- Make sure the cookies are compeletly cooled before sprinkling with the powdered sugar. Otherwise, it will just melt in.
- You can also add extra powdered sugar when serving to make the cookies look extra festive!
Recipe FAQs
What fillings can I use for kolachky cookies?
Apricot preserves are traditional and we also love strawberry preserves for the jelly filling. Or you can buy cans of poppy seed filling (near pie filling at the store); it’s so tasty. Or try your favorite flavor of preserves!
How do I store Kolachky Cookies?
Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Feel free to sprinkle with extra powdered sugar when serving.
Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Place in a freezer safe container or ziplock bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then add powdered sugar when serving.
Traditional Fillings for Kolachky Cookies
- Apricot Preserves. The Apricot Kolache cookie is one of my favorite flavors!
- Strawberry Preserves. I make this flavor Kolach cookie for the kids, as it seems to be THEIR favorite, even though it’s not traditional.
- Poppyseed filling. You can buy cans of poppy seed filling (near pie filling). This is so good and Poppy Seed Kolache cookies are a family favorite!
What traditional cookies do YOU make for the holidays?
Looking for the BEST sugar cookie cut out recipe? TheseCream Cheese Sugar Cookiesare so flavorful and they always hold their shape. Don’t forget to add the deliciousVanilla Bean Frostingtoo!
Don’t want to make cut out sugar cookies? These are the best, chewySugar Cookieswith a no-chill dough. Topped with a creamy sugar cookie icing, you’ll love this Copycat Swig Sugar Cookie recipe!
If you’re looking forthe best Lemon Barswith Shortbread Crust, this one is it. Easy cookie crust with a sweet and tangy lemon filling and lemon glaze, topped with powdered sugar!
TheseTwix cookieshave a buttery shortbread cookie base with creamy caramel and chocolate on top! I’m not even kidding when I say they are addictive!
Gingerdoodle Cookiesare chewy, soft cookies that taste like a cross between a gingersnap and a snickerdoodle. Add this to your baking list ASAP! You’ll love the texture of the cookies, but more importantly the molasses flavor with the cinnamon, ginger, and cloves is irresistible!
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Kolachky Cookies
4.65 from 39 votes
By: Aimee
Cream Cheese based cookie topped with sweet preserves makes these Kolachky cookies irresistible!
Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes minutes
Total Time: 48 minutes minutes
Servings: 36 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 package cream cheese, softened 8 oz
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups preserves I like to use a combination of apricot and strawberry
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl combine butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar. Beat until creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Add baking powder and flour. Beat until a soft dough forms.
Drop dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll to about 1/2 cm thickness. Cut with a 2 1/2 inch circle cookie cutter (or biscuit cutter) and place on baking sheet. Spread about 1 Tbsp preserves into the center of cookie.
Bake for 15-18 minutes, until set (before it begins to brown). Cool completely on wire rack.
When cool, sprinkle generously with powdered sugar. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for one week. You may need to add powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- **If desired, after adding the preserves, pinch sides up into the center of cookie.
- Allow the butter and cream cheese tosoften at room temperaturebefore you start making the dough.
- When rolling out the cookies, any scraps can be smooshed back together and rolled out again to get more cookies, but you won’t want to repeat this process more than once, or else the cookies will become tough.
- Don’t overbake the cookies! They should come out of the oven BEFORE they start to brown.
- Make sure the cookies are compeletly cooled before sprinkling with the powdered sugar. Otherwise, it will just melt in.
- You can also add extra powdered sugar when serving to make the cookies look extra festive!
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 131kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 14mg, Sodium: 37mg, Sugar: 10g
Course: Cookies
Cuisine: Polish
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!
