Kolacky – Buttery Cream Cheese Pastries
Delicate cookies with sweet filling and a dusting of powdered sugar.
Introduction
Kolacky (sometimes spelled kolache) are traditional pastries made with a rich cream cheese dough and filled with fruit preserves, poppy seed, or nut fillings. They’re soft, slightly tangy from the cream cheese, and finished with a snowy sprinkle of powdered sugar. Perfect for holidays, tea time, or sharing at family gatherings.
Ingredients
2 cups all‑purpose flour
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2 (3 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
Pastry filling of choice (apricot, raspberry, prune, poppy seed, or nut)
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
Prepare Dough
Let butter and cream cheese come to room temperature.
Blend together until smooth.
Slowly add flour; mixture will become thick. Knead lightly by hand until combined.
Chill
Wrap dough and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
Shape
Roll dough to ⅛‑inch thickness.
Cut into 2‑inch squares.
Place filling diagonally across each square.
Fold over the opposite corners to enclose filling.
Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake 18–20 minutes, until bottoms are golden.
Finish
Cool completely.
Dust generously with powdered sugar.
Recipe Notes
Prep Time: 20 minutes + 1 hour chill
Bake Time: 18–20 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour 40 minutes
Yield: ~3 dozen cookies
Tips for Success
Use thick pastry fillings or preserves to prevent leaking.
Don’t overfill — a teaspoon of filling is plenty.
Seal corners firmly to keep cookies closed while baking.
Store in an airtight container; they taste even better the next day.
Fun Variations
Fruit Kolacky: Apricot, raspberry, or cherry preserves.
Nutty Kolacky: Walnut or almond paste filling.
Poppy Seed Kolacky: Traditional Eastern European style.
Holiday Flair: Add colored sugar sprinkles before baking.
Storytelling Element
Imagine a platter of kolacky at a holiday table — golden, delicate squares dusted with powdered sugar, each one hiding a sweet surprise inside. They’re the kind of cookie that feels both festive and comforting, connecting generations through tradition.
Conclusion
These Kolacky are a timeless pastry, simple to make yet elegant enough for special occasions. With their buttery dough and sweet filling, they’re sure to become a favorite in your baking rotation.