If you are looking for a delightful treat that perfectly balances buttery richness with a sweet fruity center, the Strawberry Jam Kolaczki Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These tender, flaky kolaczki cookies have a luscious strawberry jam filling that bursts in every bite, making them irresistible for cookie lovers and jam enthusiasts alike. They are a wonderful way to brighten up any gathering or simply enjoy a cozy moment at home with an indulgent dessert that truly feels like a warm hug from a dear friend.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These kolaczki cookies come together wonderfully with just a handful of simple ingredients, each playing a crucial role in the final texture and flavor. From the cream cheese that gives the dough its signature tender crumb to the luscious strawberry jam that brings a pop of vibrant sweetness, every component is essential to creating this classic treat.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup or 2 sticks, softened): This provides the rich, creamy base that makes the dough irresistibly tender.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces, full-fat and softened): Adds moisture and a slight tang for a perfect flaky texture.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, aromatic note, though almond extract works beautifully too.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and highlights the flavors in the dough.
- All-purpose flour (2 ¼ cups): This sturdy but softens structure to the cookie dough, ensuring it holds its shape but remains tender.
- Strawberry jam (3 tablespoons): The star filling, adding natural sweetness and a fruity burst in every bite.
- Water: Just a touch to help seal the dough edges securely around the filling.
- Powdered sugar and extra flour: Used for rolling and a delicate dusting on top to add an elegant finish.
How to Make Strawberry Jam Kolaczki Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese
Start by adding the softened butter and cream cheese to a large mixing bowl. Beat them together at medium speed until your mixture is luxuriously smooth and creamy. This step is the secret to that melt-in-your-mouth dough everyone loves. You’ll want it well combined but not overworked.
Step 2: Add the Extract
Next, stir in your vanilla extract for warmth and subtle sweetness. Whether you choose vanilla or almond, this step takes your kolaczki to the next flavor level.
Step 3: Mix in Salt and Flour
Sprinkle in the salt and gradually add your flour cup by cup. It’s important to incorporate the flour just until combined—overmixing will toughen your dough. Keep your mixing gentle for that tender finish.
Step 4: Shape and Chill the Dough
Gather your dough on a large piece of plastic wrap and pat it into an even square about 8 inches across and ¼ inch thick. Wrap it up tightly and refrigerate for at least an hour. Chilling is key for easy handling and shaping later.
Step 5: Prepare for Shaping
Once chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Dust your clean work surface with powdered sugar to prevent sticking, unwrap your dough, and place it right on that sugary bed.
Step 6: Roll and Cut the Dough
Slice the dough in half, keeping half refrigerated while you work with the other. Roll this half gently until it’s between ⅛ and ¼ inch thick. Trim the edges to make a neat square, then cut this into smaller 2 ½ inch squares. This size is perfect for delicate, bite-sized kolaczki.
Step 7: Add the Strawberry Jam Filling
Place about ½ teaspoon of strawberry jam in the center of each square. Be generous but don’t overfill, or the jam might leak during baking.
Step 8: Fold and Seal
Dab a bit of water on the underside of one opposite corner of the square to help it stick. Fold that corner over the filling. Then take the opposite corner and lay it over the first, overlapping slightly. This signature fold creates the beautiful shape kolaczki are known for.
Step 9: Bake Until Golden
Arrange your folded kolaczki on the baking sheets about an inch apart and bake for 12 to 14 minutes. Keep an eye out for golden edges—that signals the perfect balance of crisp and tender.
Step 10: Cool and Dust
Allow the cookies to cool right on the pan to avoid breakage, then finish with a generous dusting of powdered sugar before serving. This final touch makes them look as lovely as they taste.
How to Serve Strawberry Jam Kolaczki Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For extra charm, sprinkle some finely chopped fresh strawberries or a touch of lemon zest over your powdered sugar dusting. This adds a bright and fresh flair that complements the jam beautifully. A light drizzle of melted white chocolate over cooled cookies also makes for a stunning presentation.
Side Dishes
Strawberry Jam Kolaczki Cookies are delightful on their own but pair wonderfully with a cup of lightly brewed tea, a creamy latte, or even a glass of cold milk. Serving alongside a bowl of fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream elevates the experience to a cozy afternoon indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider stacking the kolaczki in a rustic basket lined with a pretty cloth napkin or arranging them on a decorative platter with fresh herbs like mint for a pop of color. They also make perfect favors for gatherings when tied individually with a small ribbon, showcasing their charming folded shape.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your kolaczki in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and tender for up to 3 days, making them an easy grab-and-go treat whenever you need a sweet moment.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked kolaczki dough after shaping and filling them. Lay them flat on a parchment-lined tray to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, simply place frozen kolaczki on a sheet and bake, adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy the kolaczki warm, gently reheat them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This refreshes their flaky texture and warms the jam delightfully without drying the cookies out.
FAQs
Can I use other jam flavors in the Strawberry Jam Kolaczki Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While strawberry jam is classic, raspberry, apricot, or plum jams are fantastic alternatives and can add exciting twists to this cookie.
Is cream cheese necessary for the dough?
Yes, cream cheese is key to achieving the characteristic tender, flaky texture of kolaczki cookies. It adds moisture and a subtle tang that butter alone cannot provide.
How thick should I roll out the dough?
Rolling the dough to between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick works best. Too thin and the cookies may break; too thick and they lose their delicate flakiness.
Can I bake kolaczki without chilling the dough?
Chilling is highly recommended as it firms up the dough, making it much easier to handle and preventing spreading during baking for those perfect shapes.
How do I prevent the jam from leaking out during baking?
Use a small amount of jam—about ½ teaspoon per square—and make sure to moisten the dough edges with water before folding to seal the filling securely inside.
Final Thoughts
There is something undeniably heartwarming about making and sharing the Strawberry Jam Kolaczki Cookies Recipe. These cookies carry the nostalgic comfort of home-baked goodness with a delightful fruity surprise that everyone will love. Whether you bake them for a special occasion or a quiet treat, they never fail to bring smiles. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and let the fun of creating these classic kolaczki brighten your day and those around you!
Print
Strawberry Jam Kolaczki Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 44 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Kolaczki Cookies are traditional Eastern European pastries with a tender cream cheese dough filled with sweet fruit jam. These delightful cookies are buttery, flaky, and perfect for festive occasions or simple everyday treats. Each cookie is delicately folded around a fruity center and dusted with powdered sugar for a pretty, sweet finish.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened to room temperature
- 8 ounces cream cheese (full-fat), softened to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or almond extract)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
Filling and Finishing
- 3 Tablespoons strawberry jam (or raspberry, apricot, Solo Pastry filling alternative)
- Water (to help seal the edges of the pastry dough)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting and rolling out dough)
- Extra flour (for dusting if needed)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Add two sticks of softened butter and 8 ounces of softened cream cheese to a large mixing bowl. Beat at medium speed until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
- Add flavoring: Mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract until combined evenly.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Add ½ teaspoon salt and 2 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour gradually, one cup at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl between additions. Mix just until combined; do not overmix to maintain tenderness.
- Shape the dough: Transfer the dough ball onto a large piece of plastic wrap and gently press it into a rough square approximately 8 inches by 8 inches and about ¼ inch thick.
- Refrigerate: Cover the dough completely with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour to firm up.
- Preheat oven: Once chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare baking sheets: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Roll out dough: Lightly dust the counter with 1/8 cup powdered sugar. Unwrap the dough and place it onto the sugared surface.
- Divide dough: Cut the dough in half and keep the unused portion refrigerated until needed.
- Evenly roll: Use a rolling pin to smooth the dough to between 1/8 inch and ¼ inch thickness. Trim the edges to create an even square shape.
- Cut squares: Cut the dough into 2 ½ inch x 2 ½ inch squares and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Add filling: Place about ½ teaspoon of your chosen jam filling in the center of each square.
- Seal the cookies: Dab a little water on the underside of one corner of each square to help seal edges.
- Fold the dough: Fold one corner over the filling, then fold the opposite corner over the first, overlapping them by about 1 inch to enclose the jam.
- Repeat folding: Continue this folding process for all remaining squares.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn golden brown.
- Cool: Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets.
- Dust with sugar: Once cooled, generously dust the cookies with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Ensure butter and cream cheese are fully softened to achieve a smooth dough texture.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep it tender and flaky.
- Chilling the dough is important for easier handling and better texture.
- You can substitute the jam filling with other fruit preserves or special pastry fillings like Solo Pastry.
- Folding the cookies correctly prevents the filling from leaking during baking.
- Powdered sugar dusting adds sweetness and a nice finishing touch.
- Cookies are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
