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Cream Cheese Kolacky

Delicate, tender cookies with a creamy base and a bright pop of fruit jam center. Perfect for brunch, holiday trays, or a fancy dessert.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Central European
Calories: 100
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dough Ingredients
  • 1 cup cream cheese, softened Full-fat gives best flavor.
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Salted can be used; reduce added salt.
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour Can use gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Optional for extra flavor.
Jam Filling
  • 1/2 cup fruit jam Choose apricot, raspberry, or your favorite.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Scrape the bowl to eliminate lumps.
  3. Add the granulated sugar and mix until combined and fluffy.
  4. Gradually add the flour and mix until the dough comes together, it should be soft but not sticky. Add more flour if necessary.
  5. Stir in the vanilla extract until evenly distributed.
  6. Lightly flour your work surface and roll the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Keep the dough moving to avoid sticking.
  7. Cut the dough into 2-inch squares and transfer them to the baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
  8. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of jam into the center of each square and fold the corners toward the center to seal.
Baking
  1. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and bottoms feel set.
  2. Let the kolacky cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Notes

Serve slightly warm or at room temperature. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 4-5 days. Freeze baked kolacky for up to 3 months. Don’t overfill with jam to avoid soggy cookies. Avoid microwaving for long periods.