Introduction
If you’ve ever had a traditional Kolache, you know just how delicious they are. But imagine turning that classic pastry into a bite-sized, sweet Kolache Cookie—perfect for snacking or sharing at any gathering. These cookies take the best part of the Kolache (the sweet fruit filling) and wrap it in a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookie dough.
Kolache Cookies are perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a family gathering, making holiday treats, or simply enjoying a sweet snack with your morning coffee. Their delicate texture and sweet fruit filling make them irresistible, and with endless filling options, you can get creative with your favorite jams and preserves. Let’s dive into how to make these delicious, bite-sized Kolache Cookies!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delightful Kolache Cookies:
For the Cookie Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
For the Filling:
- ½ cup fruit preserves or jam (apricot, raspberry, strawberry, or your choice)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening the jam)
For Garnish:
- Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough
- Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add the egg yolk and vanilla: Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until the dough comes together. It will be soft and a little sticky.
- Chill the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This will make it easier to handle and roll out.
Step 2: Shape the Kolache Cookies
- Roll the dough: Once the dough is chilled, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Cut the dough: Use a round cookie cutter (about 2 inches in diameter) to cut out circles of dough. Place the circles on the prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart.
- Form the cookie wells: Gently press your thumb (or the back of a spoon) into the center of each dough circle to create a small well for the jam filling.
Step 3: Add the Filling
- Prepare the jam: If your jam is a bit runny, you can thicken it by heating it with cornstarch. Simply place the jam and cornstarch in a small saucepan over low heat and stir until it thickens slightly.
- Fill the cookies: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of jam into each well in the cookie dough. Don’t overfill, as the jam will spread while baking.
Step 4: Bake the Cookies
- Bake the cookies: Place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Cool the cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
- Dust with powdered sugar: Once the cookies are completely cooled, dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a beautiful, festive touch.
- Serve and enjoy: These Kolache Cookies are ready to be enjoyed! Serve them at your next gathering, or keep them in an airtight container for a week of delightful snacking.
Tips and Tricks
- Jam variations: Feel free to get creative with the jam! You can use your favorite fruit preserves, from classic apricot to blueberry, raspberry, or even a mix of fruits for variety.
- Make them ahead: You can prepare the dough and chill it for up to 2 days in advance. Simply roll it out and fill with jam when you’re ready to bake.
- Soft dough: The dough for these cookies is a bit soft due to the cream cheese. If it’s too sticky to roll out, you can lightly dust it with flour, but be careful not to add too much to avoid altering the texture.
- Glaze option: If you prefer a sweet glaze, you can drizzle a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk over the cookies after they cool.
Why Kolache Cookies?
These Kolache Cookies are the perfect balance of buttery, cream cheese dough and sweet, tangy fruit preserves. They’re soft, flavorful, and just the right size for a snack. Whether you’re baking them for a holiday treat, a special occasion, or just because you want a bite of something sweet, these cookies are sure to impress.
They combine the best qualities of cookies and pastries, and their versatility means you can adjust the flavors to fit your preferences. Plus, they make a beautiful gift, perfect for packaging in a festive box or tin.
Conclusion
These Kolache Cookies are the perfect addition to any cookie tray or dessert spread. With their soft, buttery dough and sweet fruit filling, they’re sure to be a hit with anyone who tries them. Whether you prefer a traditional fruit filling or want to experiment with different jams, this recipe is as customizable as it is delicious.
So go ahead and give these Kolache Cookies a try! You’ll have a sweet, bite-sized treat that everyone will love.