A Kolacky (or Kolaczki) cookie is a traditional Eastern European pastry, often associated with Polish, Czech, and Slovak cuisines. It's a soft, buttery cookie made with a dough that typically includes cream cheese, butter, and flour, giving it a tender, flaky texture.
The dough is rolled out, cut into squares or circles, and filled with sweet fillings like fruit preserves, poppy seed paste, or sweet cheese. The edges are often folded over or pinched together, leaving the center open to showcase the filling.
These cookies are especially popular during the holidays and special occasions. They're often dusted with powdered sugar before serving.
Can I make these gluten free?
Making gluten free kolacky cookies is totally doable with a few simple ingredient swaps! Even though they are gluten free, they're still buttery, flaky, and delicious. Simply swap out a gluten free flour blend with xantham gum (or add ½ teaspoon xantham gum if your blend doesn't contain it.)
When living in Central Texas, we would always stop at a Czech stop and get what we called kolaches, which was usually a soft pastry filled with fruit and cream cheese. If you were curious, this is what I discovered:
The names Kolacky, Kolaczki, and Kolache are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to slightly different things depending on the region and tradition:
- Kolacky (Koláčky) – This is the Czech spelling and generally refers to small pastries made with a flaky or yeast-based dough and filled with fruit, cheese, or poppy seed filling.
- Kolaczki – This is the Polish spelling and refers to the same type of filled cookie, usually made with a cream cheese or buttery dough.
- Kolache (Koláče) – This is the broader Czech and Slovak term for a yeast-based pastry, often round, that is filled with fruit, poppy seed, or sweet cheese. In Texas, Czech immigrants popularized kolaches, which are larger and sometimes even savory (like sausage-filled ones).
There is also a difference in kolacky/kolache and kolacky cookies, which is the recipe featured here. Of course, I'm not a Czech pastry expert, so if you know something different, please let me know.
The cream cheese in this recipe is what makes the dough so delicious and flaky. Don't forget it or think you shouldn't use it!
What fruit filling will you put in your kolacky cookies?
Cream Cheese Kolacky Cookies
These Cream Cheese Kolacky Cookies are a delightful, buttery pastry filled with fruit jam and dusted with powdered sugar. With a rich, soft dough made from cream cheese and butter, these cookies are a melt-in-your-mouth treat that's perfect for any occasion—whether it's a holiday gathering or just a special snack.
Ingredients
- • 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- • ½ cup butter, softened
- • 1 cup all-purpose flour
- • ½ cup fruit jam or preserves (any flavor you prefer)
- • ⅓ cup confectioners' sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
1.Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and well combined.
2.Add the Flour: Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour, stirring until the dough just comes together. Once combined, shape the dough into a ball, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight for the best results.
3.Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or leave it ungreased).
4.Roll and Cut the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ⅛ inch thickness. Using a knife or cookie cutter, cut the dough into 2½-inch squares.
5.Fill with Jam: Place about ½ teaspoon of fruit jam or preserves in the center of each square. Any flavor you like works great—apricot, raspberry, or strawberry are classic choices!
6.Shape the Kolacky: Fold opposite corners of each square over the jam filling, pinching the edges together to form a little pocket, leaving the jam visible in the center.
7.Bake the Kolacky: Arrange the filled dough squares on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown.
8.Cool and Finish: Let the cookies cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, dust them lightly with confectioners' sugar for a sweet finishing touch.
Notes
Notes:
Fruit Jam: Feel free to experiment with different jam flavors to suit your tastes. Classic fruit preserves like apricot, raspberry, and strawberry are popular choices, but any jam will work!
Make Ahead: These kolacky can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to a week, or frozen for later.
These Cream Cheese Kolacky Cookies are rich, buttery, and bursting with fruity goodness—making them the perfect treat for any occasion! 🍓🍪