Description
Czech pastry delight Kolache Cookies offer sweet nostalgia with buttery dough and rich fruit fillings. Crumbly, delicate treats connect heritage and comfort, inviting you to savor generations of baking tradition.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup cream cheese
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
Filling Ingredients:
- 1 cup fruit preserves (apricot, prune, or raspberry)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Topping Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk or cream
Instructions
- Soften butter and cream cheese at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes to ensure smooth blending and optimal dough consistency.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, cream together butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookie dough.
- Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, whisking until fully integrated and producing a uniform texture.
- Gradually fold in the flour and salt, mixing until a cohesive, soft dough forms without overmixing, which can lead to tough cookies.
- Wrap the dough in plastic film and refrigerate for 1-2 hours, allowing it to firm up and become more manageable.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy release and clean-up.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately 1/8-inch thickness, ensuring even distribution.
- Cut the dough into 2-inch squares or circles, creating uniform cookie bases.
- Spoon a small dollop of fruit preserves into the center of each dough piece, leaving a border around the edges.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the preserves to enhance the filling’s flavor profile.
- Fold the edges of the dough slightly inward, creating a rustic, free-form shape that partially covers the filling.
- Arrange the kolaches on prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown, indicating a perfectly crisp texture.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Once completely cooled, dust with powdered sugar mixed with milk, creating a delicate, sweet glaze.
- Serve and enjoy these traditional Czech-inspired cookies at room temperature, perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth blending and prevent lumpy dough texture.
- Chill dough thoroughly to make rolling and shaping easier, helping cookies maintain their shape during baking.
- Experiment with different fruit preserves like apricot, raspberry, or cherry to create unique flavor variations.
- Choose low-fat cream cheese and whole wheat flour for a healthier alternative without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Czech-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg