Cream Cheese Kolacky / Kolaczki Recipe (delicious jam cookies)
Kolaczki Cookies With Cream Cheese Filling When people talk about Polish Kolaczki Cookies, they may also call them Cream Cheese Kolacky, Kołaczki Polish filled cookies, or a Kolaczki Recipe delicious jam cookies VIDEO version. No matter the spelling, this traditional Polish cream cheese cookie has deep roots in Poland Czech Republic Russia Austria Denmark Europe US Chicago Tucson, and is strongly connected to Polish Americans and the holiday season Christmas cookie tray cookie tin tradition. Many home bakers share their versions using options like Jump to Recipe, Print Recipe, Save, Rate, Share, Add Photo, and marking them as Tested.
These cookies are known as a Czech origins bite-sized pastry, often described as Polish Christmas cookies, yet simple enough to serve as a breakfast pastry sports bar Premier League football treat. With a skill level beginner and using the technique creaming method for cookies, they are practical and easy to prepare. Depending on the version, you may see Yield 2 1/2 dozen 30 servings 5-6 Dozen 2 Bite Cookies 5 dozen, Prep Time 15 mins 30 minutes 1 hour 5 min, Cook Time 10 mins 14-18 minutes 15 minutes 16 minutes 45 min, Additional Time 3 hrs 45 minutes, Total Time 3 hrs 25 mins 1 hour 31 minutes 1 hour 50 minutes, and Calories 72 listed. From my experience, once you bake a batch for a gathering, especially during the holidays, they disappear faster than almost any other cookie.
What Is a Kolacky? / Kolaczki cookies / Overview
Kolaczki Cookies With Cream Cheese Filling Before anything else, it helps to understand that a bite-sized pastry like this is built around cream cheese pastries fruit filling and a rich dough cream cheese butter flour base. These jam-filled cookies have crispy edges melt-in-your-mouth middle, which is why they are often compared to shortcrust pastry dough Spritz cookie dough. The name appears in many forms—kolaczki kolache kolacky kolachkies kolachky kolachy Kołaczki—because it carries the Polish name multiple spellings across regions. At its heart, it’s a traditional Polish cream cheese cookie mimics pastry, delicate yet simple to prepare.
What makes them stand out is the variety fillings apricot prune cherry almond poppy seed peach raspberry date Michigan cherry preserves cranberry marmalade muscadine wine dark chocolate that bring color and flavor to every tray. They are especially popular Europe Austria Poland Czech Republic, and always shine during holidays festive treat season. From my experience, once you serve a plate of these at a gathering, guests notice the soft center first, then ask which filling you used—proof that this classic cookie still wins hearts everywhere.
Ingredients / Kolacky Ingredients / For the pastry
| Ingredient / Component | Details & Measurements |
| Cream Cheese | 3 ounces cream cheese 8 ounces 226 grams |
| Butter | ½ cup butter softened 1/2 cup 1 cup 2 sticks 1 1/2 cups |
| Flour | 1 cup all-purpose flour 270 grams 2 ¼ cups 3 cups flour |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon salt |
| Extract | vanilla extract almond extract ¼ teaspoon |
| Jam Filling | ½ cup any flavor fruit jam 1 – 11/2 cups filling |
| Canned Filling | solo brand filling canned filling |
| Powdered Sugar | â…“ cup confectioners’ sugar powdered sugar decoration |
| Rolling Sugar | powdered sugar for rolling granular sugar superfine sugar caster sugar |
| Nut Filling | ground nuts walnuts brown sugar hot milk butter cinnamon salt |
| Dried Fruit Filling | dried apricots 3/4 cup 1 1/2 cups water 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon lemon juice |
| Raisins | raisins golden dark dried currants |
Filling for kolaczki / Kołaczki Fillings
Kolaczki Cookies With Cream Cheese Filling For the best Kolaczki Cookies With Cream Cheese Filling, the secret is choosing the right center. You can use any kind jam cook 2-4 minutes thickened so it turns into a firm layer that stays inside the pastry. A thick marmalade pastry filling Solo brand also works beautifully because it holds its shape. Always avoid thin jam soggy spill out, since it can ruin the texture and make the cookies open while baking. I prefer fillings with rich color, like fruit preserves jams Polana.com discount code POLISH15, because their jewel tones tray cookies look stunning on a serving platter, especially during holidays. Classic flavors such as cherry almond apricot prune and even poppy seed filling give each batch variety without changing the base dough.
If you want something deeper and warmer, try a nut filling ground nuts walnuts brown sugar hot milk butter vanilla cinnamon salt mixture. It creates a soft, slightly spiced center that balances the creamy pastry. A dried fruit filling is another reliable option when cooked properly until thick. From my experience, the key is always thickness and balance—once the filling is set and not runny, these cookies stay sealed, crisp at the edges, and tender in the middle.
How to Make Them Step by Step
Kolaczki Cookies With Cream Cheese Filling To prepare Kolaczki Cookies With Cream Cheese Filling, start by mix cream cheese butter smooth bowl until creamy. Then gradually stir flour just combined stiff sticky dough forms. Once ready, shape dough ball wrap plastic foil plastic wrap chill 1 hour 45 minutes 3 hrs overnight refrigerator so it becomes firm and easier to handle. When chilled, preheat oven 350 degrees F 180 degrees C 175°C. On a floured pastry board silicone mat powdered sugar surface, roll out dough 1/8 inch 1/4 inch 3-4mm thin for the best texture.
Next, cut 2-inch 2 ½-inch squares 5cm 5×5 cm bench scraper pizza cutter fluted pastry cutter zig-zap edge and place 1/2 teaspoon 1 teaspoon filling center of each square. Overlap opposite corners pinch seal dab water dampen corner press firmly to prevent opening during baking. Arrange cookies place on ungreased parchment lined baking sheets spaced apart, then bake 10-12 minutes 14-16 minutes 15 minutes until golden barely golden brown corners brown. Transfer to cool wire racks cooling rack dust confectioners powdered sugar once completely cooled for that classic finish.
Smart Baking Tips
Kolaczki Cookies With Cream Cheese Filling When making Kolaczki Cookies With Cream Cheese Filling, always use thicker jams avoid overfilling so the centers stay neat. If you notice cookies turning into a blooming flower, it means you need to seal cookies well prevent pop open blooming flower by pressing the corners firmly. The dough sticky chill work small portion time rule is important—keep the rest chilled while shaping. I’ve learned that roll very thin thick dough soggy is real; thinner dough bakes crisp and light. Lightly sprinkle flour powdered sugar superfine sugar mixture caramelizes bottom for better flavor and texture.
Kolaczki Cookies With Cream Cheese Filling For planning ahead, you can freeze before baking flash freeze baking sheet zip-top freezer bag thaw refrigerator, which keeps the shape perfect. You may also freeze dough 3 months wrap plastic freezer zipper bag for later use. Once baked, store covered room temperature 3 days refrigerator 4 days airtight container, but remember do not store airtight loosely cover foil plastic wrap to avoid sogginess. Always dust powdered sugar before serving for the classic look. Each cookie typically has nutrition facts 72 calories 4g fat 8g carbs 1g protein, making them small but satisfying treats.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep kolaczki from opening while baking?
Make sure to seal cookies well prevent pop open blooming flower by pressing the corners firmly together. Dabbing a little water on one corner helps the dough stick and stay closed in the oven.
Why is my dough too sticky to handle?
Kolaczki dough can feel soft, so dough sticky chill work small portion time is important. Chill the dough well and only roll out a small piece at a time while keeping the rest in the refrigerator.
Can I use any type of jam for the filling?
It’s best to use thicker jams avoid overfilling because thin jam can leak and make the cookies soggy. If needed, cook the jam briefly until thickened before using.
How thin should I roll the dough?
Always roll very thin thick dough soggy to get crisp edges and prevent a doughy center. Thin dough bakes more evenly and gives a better texture.
Can I freeze kolaczki cookies or dough?
Yes, you can freeze dough 3 months wrap plastic freezer zipper bag or freeze before baking flash freeze baking sheet zip-top freezer bag thaw refrigerator for convenience. Bake after thawing for best results.
How should I store leftover kolaczki?
You can store covered room temperature 3 days refrigerator 4 days airtight container, but do not store airtight loosely cover foil plastic wrap if you want to avoid soggy cookies. Always dust powdered sugar before serving for a fresh look.