Cream Cheese Kolacky
Kolacky are delicious cream cheese pastries with a fruit filling. The dough for these cookies is what makes them exceptional. The most popular fillings are peach, apricot, raspberry, and date, but you can use whatever you like. This year, I’m trying Michigan cherry preserves and cranberry marmalade. I always quadruple this recipe for the holidays. Better hide a few for Christmas day — these are the ones that go first!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Additional Time: 3 hrs
- Total Time: 3 hrs 25 mins
- Servings: 30
This kolacky recipe starts with a 3-ingredient that seems too good to be true, but it’s very real. Fill the kolacky cookies with your choice of fruit jam for a deliciously festive treat.
What Is a Kolacky?
A kolacky is a bite-sized pastry with Czech origins. The rich dough (which is made with cream cheese, butter, and flour) can feature different fillings, but jam is one of the most popular choices.
Kolacky Ingredients
This impressive kolacky recipe is easy to make with just five ingredients:
- Cream cheese: The irresistibly rich dough starts with cream cheese.
- Butter: A stick of softened butter adds more richness and moisture.
- Flour: A cup of all-purpose flour gives the dough structure.
- Jam: You’ll need ½ cup of store-bought or homemade jam.
- Confectioners’ sugar: Dust the kolacky with confectioners’ sugar before serving.
How to Make Kolacky
You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade kolacky:
- 1. Make the dough, shape it into a ball, and chill.
- 2. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface and cut into squares.
- 3. Add the jam and shape the kolacky.
- 4. Bake in the preheated oven and dust with sugar.
How to Store Kolacky
Store your leftover kolacky in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about four days. If you make the kolacky ahead of time, dust them with powdered sugar just before serving.
Can You Freeze Kolacky?
Yes, but it’s best to freeze them before you bake. Fill and shape the kolacky, then arrange them on a baking sheet. Flash freeze for a few hours or up to overnight. When the kolacky are frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or in a zip-top freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator and bake according to the recipe.
Please continue to Next Page (>) for the full list of ingredients and complete cooking instructions with images.
Enjoy this meal.
Cream Cheese Kolacky
Ingredients
- 3 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup any flavor fruit jam
- ⅓ cup confectioners’ sugar for decoration
Directions
Step 1: Gather all ingredients.
Step 2: Mix cream cheese and butter together in a bowl until smooth.
Step 3: Gradually stir in flour until just combined. Shape dough into a ball; cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Step 4: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
Step 5: Roll out dough on a floured pastry board to a thickness of 1/8 inch. Cut into 2 1/2-inch squares and place about 1/2 teaspoon of jam or preserves in the center.
Step 6: Overlap opposite corners and pinch together. Place on ungreased baking sheets.
Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Dust kolacky lightly with confectioner’s sugar.
