Polish Kolaczki Cookies with Fruit Preserves Recipe
Polish Kolaczki Cookies are delicate, tender pastries filled with your choice of fruit preserves such as apricot, raspberry, or plum. These buttery cream cheese cookies are rolled thin, folded over a sweet filling, and baked to golden perfection before being dusted with powdered sugar. Perfect for holiday treats or anytime you want a classic, melt-in-your-mouth cookie with a fruity surprise.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Polish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Filling
- ½ cup fruit preserves (apricot, raspberry, or plum)
Finishing
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour and salt just until a soft dough forms, being careful not to overmix to maintain tenderness.
- Chill the dough: Shape the dough into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight to firm up for easier handling.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Heat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Roll and cut dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ⅛ inch thickness. Cut into 2½-inch squares using a pastry wheel or knife for uniform size.
- Fill and shape cookies: Place about ½ teaspoon of fruit preserves in the center of each square. Fold two opposite corners over the filling so they slightly overlap, gently pressing to seal. If needed, moisten edges with a dab of water or egg white to help seal.
- Arrange and bake: Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until edges turn lightly golden.
- Cool and dust with sugar: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, dust generously with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth dough consistency.
- Do not overwork the dough to keep cookies tender and flaky.
- Chilling the dough is important for easy handling and better texture.
- Choose your preferred fruit preserves for different flavor variations.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Cookies can be frozen after baking; thaw completely before dusting with powdered sugar.
Keywords: Polish Kolaczki, Kolaczki Cookies, Cream Cheese Cookies, Fruit Preserves Cookies, Traditional Polish Dessert, Apricot Kolaczki, Raspberry Kolaczki, Plum Kolaczki