If you are on the hunt for a delightful treat that bursts with fruity sweetness and melts in your mouth, then you will absolutely adore this Strawberry Jam Kolaczki Cookies Recipe. These little pockets of joy blend a tender cream cheese dough with luscious strawberry jam, creating a perfect balance of buttery, soft texture and vibrant jam filling. Whether you enjoy them with your morning coffee or serve them at a festive gathering, these kolaczki cookies are sure to bring smiles and warm memories with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind these kolaczki cookies lies in a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role – the butter and cream cheese build the flaky, tender dough, the extract adds subtle depth, and fresh strawberry jam crowns the cookies with vibrant, fruity flavor. Let’s gather what you need to create this irresistible treat!
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) softened to room temperature: Provides the rich, buttery base that makes the dough melt-in-your-mouth soft.
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened: Adds a subtle tang and tenderness to the dough, ensuring a perfect texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract: Infuses the dough with a warm, aromatic flavor that enhances the jam’s sweetness.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and highlights the flavors of both dough and filling.
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled: The structure of the cookie, giving it body without toughness.
- 3 tablespoons strawberry jam (or your favorite fruit jam): The star filling that offers juicy bursts of fruity goodness in every bite.
- Water: Used sparingly to seal the edges of your pastry and keep the jam neatly tucked inside.
- Powdered sugar and extra flour: For dusting the dough and finishing the cookies with a delicate sweet coating.
How to Make Strawberry Jam Kolaczki Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream Your Butter and Cream Cheese
Start by adding the softened butter and cream cheese to a large mixing bowl. Beat them at medium speed until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. This step sets the stage for your kolaczki to have that beautifully tender and flaky dough that’s so key to this recipe.
Step 2: Add the Extract
Next, mix in your choice of vanilla or almond extract. This little touch brings warmth and a lovely aroma to the dough, working perfectly alongside the sweet strawberry jam.
Step 3: Incorporate Salt and Flour
Sprinkle in the salt and start adding flour one cup at a time, mixing gently and scraping the bowl sides as you go. Be careful not to overmix – once the flour is just combined, you want to stop for that tender crumb!
Step 4: Shape and Chill the Dough
Transfer your dough ball onto a piece of plastic wrap, pressing it into a rough 8-inch square shape about ¼ inch thick. Wrap it tightly and refrigerate for at least one hour – this chilling step is crucial for handling and baking success.
Step 5: Prepare to Roll and Cut
When the dough is nicely chilled, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Dust your counter with powdered sugar, unwrap half the dough, and roll it out to an even 1/8 to ¼ inch thickness. Trim the edges into a neat square for clean cutting.
Step 6: Cut Into Smaller Squares
Slice the dough into 2 ½ inch squares and arrange them spaced evenly on your parchment-lined baking sheets. These perfectly sized squares will hold just the right amount of strawberry jam.
Step 7: Add the Jam Filling
Spoon about ½ teaspoon of strawberry jam right in the center of each square. This filling will be the juicy heart of your kolaczki cookies.
Step 8: Fold and Seal
Dab a bit of water on one corner of a square to help it stick, then fold that corner over the filling. Next, bring the opposite corner over, overlapping it by about one inch so the jam stays sealed inside during baking. Repeat for all squares.
Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection
Pop your cookies into the oven and bake for 12-14 minutes, until the edges just begin to turn a lovely golden brown. This short bake ensures a tender crumb and keeps the jam soft and gooey.
Step 10: Cool and Dust
Allow the cookies to cool right on the pan, then shower them in a delicate dusting of powdered sugar. This final touch adds sweetness and makes them look as inviting as they taste!
How to Serve Strawberry Jam Kolaczki Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Once dusted with powdered sugar, these kolaczki cookies are practically begging to be enjoyed just as they are. For a fun twist, sprinkle a few fresh strawberry slices or a touch of finely chopped mint on the side to make your presentation pop with color and freshness.
Side Dishes
Pair your kolaczki with a warm cup of tea or coffee for an afternoon treat, or serve them alongside a simple vanilla yogurt or crème fraîche dip for dessert. Their subtle sweetness is perfectly complemented by creamy or slightly tangy sides.
Creative Ways to Present
For celebrations, arrange the cookies on a pretty tiered tray or tuck them into decorative paper liners to make a delightful cookie platter. Drizzling a little white chocolate over the cooled kolaczki adds a beautiful and tasty finishing touch that guests will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep leftover kolaczki cookies fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They stay tender and flavorful, so your next snack will be just as delightful as the first.
Freezing
If you want to prepare ahead, freeze the unbaked kolaczki cut and filled on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Bake them directly from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time. This way, dessert is ready whenever cravings strike!
Reheating
Lightly warm the kolaczki in a low oven or microwave for a few seconds just before serving to revive their fresh-from-the-oven taste and that perfect, tender crumb texture.
FAQs
Can I use other fruit jams besides strawberry?
Absolutely! While the strawberry jam is classic and delicious, apricot, raspberry, or even cherry jams make wonderful alternatives that offer different flavor profiles while maintaining that delightful sweet and tangy filling.
Is it necessary to chill the dough?
Yes, chilling the dough helps it firm up so rolling and cutting become easier. It also ensures the cookies bake evenly without spreading too much, helping preserve their signature shape.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can experiment with gluten-free flour blends, but results may vary. Look for a blend designed for pastries and be gentle with mixing to keep the tender texture you’re after.
What’s the best way to store these cookies?
Store kolaczki in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days, or freeze before or after baking for longer storage. Always protect them from moisture to keep their texture perfect!
Can I substitute cream cheese with something else?
Cream cheese is what gives these cookies their signature soft and tangy bite. Substituting it with butter only will change the texture and flavor, so it’s best to follow the recipe for authentic results.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Jam Kolaczki Cookies Recipe is one of those little treasures that soothes the soul and delights the palate all at once. Rich with buttery dough, luscious jam, and that sprinkle of powdered sugar, these cookies bring joy to every occasion or quiet moment. I truly encourage you to try making them yourself—you might just find your new favorite cookie to share and savor forever!
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: Polish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Kolaczki are tender, creamy cheese pastries filled with sweet fruit preserves, perfect as a delightful treat for holidays or any time you crave a buttery, flaky cookie with a luscious jam center.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened to room temperature
- 8 ounces cream cheese, full-fat and softened to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
Filling
- 3 tablespoons strawberry jam (or raspberry, apricot, etc.) / Solo Pastry filling
Other
- Water, to help seal the edges of the pastry dough
- Powdered sugar, for dusting and rolling out the dough
- Extra flour, for dusting if needed
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Add the softened butter and cream cheese to a large mixing bowl. Beat at medium speed until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
- Add flavoring: Mix in the vanilla or almond extract until just combined.
- Add salt and flour: Add salt and then gradually add the flour, about one cup at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl between additions. Mix until just combined without overmixing to maintain tenderness.
- Shape and chill dough: Transfer the dough ball onto a large piece of plastic wrap, press it into a rough 8 x 8 inch square about ¼ inch thick, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for at least one hour to firm up.
- Preheat oven: Once chilled, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out dough: Lightly dust a clean counter with powdered sugar. Unwrap the dough and place it on the sugar. Divide the dough in half, and keep the unused half refrigerated.
- Shape cookies: Roll the dough to between 1/8” and ¼” thickness. Trim edges to create an even square. Cut into 2½ inch squares and transfer to the prepared baking sheets.
- Add filling: Place ½ teaspoon of jam in the center of each square.
- Fold cookies: Dab water on the underside of one corner and fold it over the filling, then fold the opposite corner over, overlapping by about 1 inch to seal the pastry.
- Bake cookies: Repeat folding for remaining squares. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until edges start turning golden brown.
- Cool and finish: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the pans.
- Dust with sugar: Once cooled, dust the kolaczki generously with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Use full-fat cream cheese and unsalted butter at room temperature for the best dough texture.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies tender and flaky.
- Chilling the dough is essential to make it easier to roll and cut.
- Various jam fillings like raspberry, apricot, or store-bought Solo Pastry filling can be used depending on preference.
- Powdered sugar dusting adds a beautiful finish and slight sweetness.
- Store kolaczki in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
